Christmas Tree cutting permits are generally available from most US Forest Service offices throughout the Rocky Mountain Region. Check out the list below for information regarding the closest Forest Service office that is offering Christmas Tree cutting permits. Look below the list for general requirements regarding Christmas Tree cutting permits, along with recommendations for making your Christmas Tree cutting experience the best it can be!
COLORADO
NEBRASKA
SOUTH DAKOTA
WYOMING
REMEMBER THAT LOCAL EXCEPTIONS MAY APPLY TO THE INFORMATION BELOW!
GENERAL PERMIT REQUIREMENTS:
Core Cutting Dates: December 6-14, 2008
Permits: $10 each. One tree per permit.
Limit 5 permits per person. All sales are final.
Area Entry Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- For your safety, no entry is allowed before or after these
hours.
REMEMBER THAT LOCAL EXCEPTIONS MAY APPLY TO THE INFORMATION BELOW!
REQUIREMENTS/RECOMMENDATIONS WHEN CUTTING A TREE:
- Tree trunk size must be 6 inches (or less) in diameter - strictly
enforced in some areas, but some local exceptions may apply.
- Cut tree 6 inches (or less) from the ground and take the whole
tree – “topping” trees is not permitted!
- Cut a tree close to other trees to help thin the forest.
- Use handsaws ONLY - chainsaws
are strictly prohibited (see below)!!
- PROHIBITED - Chainsaws, snowmobiles,
all-terrain vehicles, other off-road vehicles, and cutting trees
marked with blue paint.
- Pets must be on a leash - Better yet, leave pets at home.
- Park out of traffic path.
- Pack out your own trash.
- Don't trespass on private property.
- Check road conditions for your area: or call District
offices.
- Dress for winter weather.
- Fill your gas tank.
- Carry tire chains.
- Bring food, extra water, warm drinks, a shovel, a blanket, and a first-aid
kit.
- Permits must be visible on tree for easy check-out.
- Bring a rope and tarp to pack your tree for the trip home.
TIPS FOR HELPING YOUR TREE STAY ALIVE LONGER:
When you get home, re-cut the end of the tree by 1 inch and let it stand in a bucket
of the "Christmas Tree Life Extending Formula" (recipe below) until you’re ready
to bring it indoors. Fill the tree stand reservoir twice a
day (morning and evening) with the remaining mixture.
"Christmas Tree Life Extending Formula"
- 2 gals. of hot water
- 2 cups corn syrup
- 2 oz. liquid bleach
- 2 pinches epsom salts
- 1/2 tsp. borax
- 1 tsp. chelated iron (garden shop)
How does this "Christmas Tree Life Extending Formula" work?
The corn syrup provides sugar, which allows the tree to soak up
a lot more water than it normally would. Without sugar, only a small amount of water is absorbed by the branches and needles.
You can expect the tree to soak up 1-1/2 gallons of the recipe during
the 10 to 14 day period your tree is up, which is about 800 percent
more water than it would have absorbed growing in the forest.
The boron (in the borax) makes the water and sugar move to every
needle of your tree. The epsom salts and chelated iron provide magnesium
sulfate which helps chlorophyll production,
keeping your needles green. Bleach stops mold from forming when
water and sugar stand too long in the tree holder.
Have a great time
and be safe!
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![[design image slice] U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service on faded trees in medium light green background](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081009182139im_/http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/local-resources/images/rmt-trees-left-usfs.gif)
![[design image slice] more faded trees](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081009182139im_/http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/local-resources/images/rmt-trees-right.gif){kind=small}
![[design image] green box with curved corner](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081009182139im_/http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/local-resources/images/rmt-search-head.gif){kind=small}
Cutting a Christmas tree in a national forest is a tradition for many residents of the Rocky Mountain Region. In doing so, you take an active part in managing your national forests as you celebrate your own family's tradition. Happy Holidays!
