The Union Democrat

Christmas tree cutting permits available

- Union Democrat staff

A total of 7,500 permits became available Thursday for people to cut down their own Christmas tree from the Stanislaus National Forest.

The permits are free and can be obtained through the forest’s permit page at https://www.recreation.gov/tree-permits/tp2648, though there is a processing fee of $2.50.

“Begin the holiday season with an outing to cut the family tree,” the permit page stated. “Lifelong memories are built during these special times, and we are happy to help with any informatio­n gathering you’ll need to make this trip a safe and enjoyable one.”

Though permits are now available, tree cutting is only allowed Dec. 1 through 31.

The Forest Service said the cutting of trees was limited to the month of December this year in considerat­ion of private Christmas tree farms, due to the weekend after Thanksgivi­ng typically being their highest grossing weekend of the year.

“While we are excited to offer this opportunit­y, we’re also mindful of the impact on our local small business community and found a way to work together,” Jason Kuiken, forest supervisor of the Stanislaus National Forest, explained. “We want our local communitie­s to thrive, and we remain committed to that goal.”

This is only the second time that the U.S. Forest Service has allowed the public to cut down their own Christmas trees in the Stanislaus National Forest following last year’s inaugural season.

The tree-cutting permits are now being offered “in an effort to help reduce hazardous fuel ladders that have built up over years of fire suppressio­n,” the Forest Service stated.

“Removal of excessive amounts of small trees from the forest will help create a healthier forest over time,” the agency’s permit page stated.

People are required to purchase a permit and have it in their possession while cutting down and transporti­ng trees. Each household is limited to a maximum of two trees.

Tree cutting is not allowed in designated wil

derness areas or the Stanislaus-tuolumne Experiment­al Forest. People are also asked not to cut trees from any Forest Service administra­tive site, such as offices, campground­s, or other facilities.

A map of all areas where tree cutting is and isn’t allowed is available to view on the permit website.

The Stanislaus National Forest covers 1,403 square miles primarily in Tuolumne County, with some parts extending into Alpine, Calaveras and Mariposa counties.

There are some additional rules listed on the permit page, including that trees can be no more than 20 feet tall, stumps can’t be more than a foot high and six inches in diameter, and cutting isolated trees growing in the open is not allowed.

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