Free Christmas Trees for Military Families: How to Qualify
Check your base MWR notice, bring military ID, and arrive early for a free Trees for Troops Christmas tree.
Free farm-grown Christmas trees are available to military families through Trees for Troops. To qualify, you must be assigned to a participating installation and meet that base's pickup rules. Trees for Troops, a program of the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation 501(c)(3) charity, provides free trees to members of all branches and their families through donations, sponsorships and volunteers, according to the Trees for Troops program page.
There is no national sign-up. Your installation sets eligibility and distribution.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 03, 2026.
How does the tree giveaway work?
Donated trees are collected from farms and retail collection sites. FedEx and FedEx Freight then deliver them to military bases for local distribution. The scale is large.
The 2023 effort delivered 16,252 trees to 93 bases, and each receiving base determines how and when to distribute trees to its personnel, according to the 2023 program completion release. That local control is why dates and rules differ.
Who can receive a tree?
Eligibility is set by installation, not by the charity. Most giveaways focus on active-duty members and their households. Some add rank limits or family categories.
Check whether your base is participating this year. Then read its MWR or Outdoor Recreation notice for rank, status, and household limits.
Why do base rules look different?
Bases choose their own sign-up, timing, and pickup process. One tree per household or family is common. First-come, first-served pickup while supplies last is also common.
At NAS Jacksonville, the 2026 giveaway is limited to E1-E6 active-duty members or dependents, one tree per household, for pickup Dec. 4 from 1-4 p.m. at Patriots' Grove, according to the Navy MWR Jacksonville listing.
At Fort Campbell, trees are free for active-duty soldiers with no registration, first-come first-served while supplies last, with the 2025 notice listing Dec. 6 from 2-4 p.m., according to the Army MWR Fort Campbell listing.
What should you bring and when should you arrive?
Pickup lines can close when trees run out. Early arrival matters most at first-come sites.
- Confirm your base is on the current delivery list.
- Read the local MWR notice for place, time, and ID rules.
- Bring your military or dependent ID.
- Arrive early because quantities are limited.
- Plan for one tree per household unless your base says otherwise.