Is Rootrees free to use?

Yes. The free plan includes up to 50 family tree members and 3 collaborators — completely free with no credit card required. Optional upgrades let any family member unlock advanced features for the whole family.

Is my family data secure?

Your data is stored in your cloud account and can only be accessed by you and the members you invite. We use industry-standard encryption for all transfers and storage, and never share your data with third parties.

What happens to my data if I stop subscribing?

Nothing is deleted. All family tree data is fully preserved. Advanced features return to read-only mode. AI-restored photos remain permanently accessible regardless of subscription status.

Do family members need to download the app?

We recommend downloading the app for collaboration and full access. You can also export your family tree as a PDF so relatives without a smartphone can browse it easily.

Does Rootrees support the lunar calendar?

Yes. You can record lunar birthdays (including leap months), Gregorian birthdays, and traditional Chinese birth-hour periods — all within the same profile.

Can I export my family tree?

Yes. Rootrees supports exporting family data as a PDF, including a basic family tree export (free) and an advanced family story book, making it easy to save, share, or print.

How to Export Your Family Tree as a PDF: Uses, Tips, and When You Need It

Most modern family tree apps store your data digitally. But there are still many situations where a printable family tree — or a PDF you can share — is exactly what you need. Not everyone in the family uses an app, and not every occasion calls for a phone screen.

This guide covers the common uses for exporting a family tree to PDF, what to check before you export, and tips for getting a good result.

When Do You Need a Family Tree PDF?

Family Reunions and Ancestral Memorial Events

During Tomb Sweeping Day (清明), Lunar New Year gatherings, or family reunions, a printed family tree gives everyone a shared reference point. Elders can point out members, share stories, and correct details — and younger generations can see where they fit in the bigger picture.

Sharing with Relatives Who Don't Use Apps

Not everyone in the family is comfortable with mobile apps. Exporting to PDF and sending it via messaging apps, email, or even printing and mailing it lets every family member access the family history, regardless of their tech comfort level.

Long-Term Physical Archiving

Digital data can disappear — accounts get deleted, apps shut down, hard drives fail. Printing a copy of your family tree and storing it safely provides a backup that doesn't depend on any technology platform.

Creating a Family History Book

Many families create a "family book" or commemorative album to distribute at milestone events: a centennial memorial, a 50th-anniversary reunion, or an elder's birthday celebration. A PDF export is usually the starting point for these materials.

Sharing with Overseas Relatives

For relatives living abroad, a PDF is the easiest format to share. It requires no app installation and opens on any device.

What to Check Before Exporting

Completeness of Key Member Data

Before exporting, review your important members to ensure:

Names are correct (especially traditional or rarely used characters)
Birth and death dates are filled in
Relationships are correctly linked

Privacy Review

If you're sharing the PDF with a wider audience:

Are living members comfortable being listed?
Should contact information or addresses be hidden?
Do you need to handle minors' data differently?

Export Format

Family tree PDF exports typically come in two formats:

Visual tree format: Shows the family tree diagram, great for display and print
List/table format: A name-by-name register, better for looking up specific individuals

Check which formats your app supports and choose based on your intended use.

Tips for Printing Large Family Trees

A family with four or more generations won't fit comfortably on a standard A4 page. Options include:

A3 paper or larger: Double the size of A4, more space for a three-generation span
Split by generation: Print each generation on a separate page and assemble them
Large format printing: Print shops can output A1 or A0 size posters — ideal for wall display at family events
Digital zoom: If you're only sharing digitally, PDF zoom works fine even at high density

PDF Export in Rootrees

Rootrees includes a basic PDF export feature that converts your digital family tree into a printable format. This is designed for families who want to keep a physical copy, share with relatives who don't use the app, or prepare materials for family gatherings.

Summary

Exporting your family tree as a PDF bridges the digital and physical worlds — it's how your family history reaches the people who need it most, in a format they can actually use. Whether you're planning a family reunion, sending a file to an overseas relative, or simply creating a backup, a PDF export is one of the most useful features of any family tree app.

Consider making it a yearly habit to export a fresh copy of your family tree — perhaps at the same time every year, so you always have an up-to-date version ready when you need it.