Melbourne man searching for free Christmas tree lucky to survive cliff fall

A man overcome with festive spirit is recovering after plunging off a cliff in Doncaster East.

Rescuers said the amateur lumberjack spotted a small pine on the Eastern Freeway roadside he decided would make a great Christmas tree.

He fell an estimated 10 to 12 metres down the steep embankment while attempting to reach the tree.

An emergency team was called in to rescue the man who was lucky to only suffer cuts and bruising.