Buying a Christmas tree can truly be an adventure and an environmental act. U.S. National Forests around the nation are allowing folks to cut down their own Christmas trees, making room for new trees to grow and creating special memories for families across America.
“Venturing into a local national forest to find that special tree is an experience that creates treasured family memories and stories,” USDA Forest Service Chief Randy Moore said in a news release. “It is through these experiences that people establish important connections to the forest that can lead to a lifetime of adventures and instill a commitment to stewardship.”
Forests in states including Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, West Virginia, Vermont, New Hampshire and Florida are all participating.
To cut down a Christmas tree, visitors will have to apply for a permit, which ranges from $5 to $10, depending on the forest. Easily available via Recreation.gov, the permit allows the holder to cut down one tree in a specified district of the designated forest. Each region will have specific regulations for which types of trees and sizes can be cut down.
For example, in Tahoe National Forest, trees can be up to 20 feet tall, with a stump height of up to 12 inches and a stump diameter of 6 inches maximum.
First-time tree cutter? The National Forest rangers have a few tips. First, you'll want to choose a tree in an overcrowded area to help thin out the forest. Trees should be cut close to the ground (and any snow pushed off the stump, if it's there). Permitted vehicles aren't allowed off-road, so you'll need a rope and a tarp to help get it to the car, plus ropes to secure the freshly chopped tree to the vehicle for a safe trip home.