Forest Service offers Christmas tree permits
For the first time, the U.S. Forest Service will offer permits to cut down a Christmas tree from the Stanislaus National Forest.
The agency announced in a news release Tuesday that it will be making 5,000 permits available for free beginning Friday through the U.S. Department of the Interior’s trip planning and reservation service website at www.recreation.gov.
“There’s a certain magic in families coming together to wander into the forest to find that special tree,” Stanislaus National Forest Supervisor Jason Kuiken stated in the news release. “We are pleased to make this available to our community and hope this will be the beginning of new traditions for many families.”
Permits are being made available at no cost this year only in celebration of the first season, though the release noted that the website charges a $2.50 processing fee. There is also a maximum of two trees per permit and one permit per household.
People must print the permit and display it on the dash of their vehicle on the day of their visit, according to Todd Newburger, public services staff officer for the Stanislaus National Forest.
The release stated that, “broadly speaking,” there are only two areas off limits for cutting Christmas trees: designated Wilderness Areas and the Experimental Forest. People are also asked to not cut any trees from any Forest Service administrative site, such as offices, campgrounds, or other facilities.
Additional information and guidance regarding how and where to cut a tree is contained within the permit.
Cutting a tree can help improve forest health, and the permit system helps to thin densely populated stands of small-diameter trees, according to the release.
“Local forest health experts identify areas that benefit from thinning trees and tend to be the perfect size for a Christmas tree,” the release stated. “Removing these trees in designated areas helps other trees grow larger and can open areas that provide food for wildlife.”
The Forest Service advised people planning a trip to be aware of seasonal road closures that go into effect Dec. 15, after which many higher elevation roads will be closed. More information regarding closures and dates is available at https:// www. fs. usda. gov/ main/ stanislaus/maps-pubs.