Discussions

Can anyone confirm the legality of taking trees from ditches along provincial highways? Or contact information to someone who can confirm?

https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/forestry/pdf/health/new_roots.pdf  
 
Seems it is okay except in parks.

Please be kind and considerate and bring some fill dirt with you to back fill the holes you will be making,,, will prevent others from spraining their ankles or even breaking their leg, wild life too. Or it could even be you that steps in a hole.  
Don't try to dig up anything more than 24 " The bigger the tree the less likely your tree will survive. Take a clump of dirt at least 1/3 the size of the tree.

Please be kind and considerate and bring some fill dirt with you to back fill the holes you will be making,,, will prevent others from spraining their ankles or even breaking their leg, wild life too. Or it could even be you that steps in a hole.  
Don't try to dig up anything more than 24 " The bigger the tree the less likely your tree will survive. Take a clump of dirt at least 1/3 the size of the tree.

I hope that refers to height and not diameter.  
 
24" height might be a bit on the conservative side. Depending on species, time of year and horticultural skills it's very possible that a taller tree might transplant well. Makes a larger hole to fill, though.  
 
24" diameter is firewood.