Gifford Pinchot
National Forest
Forest Headquarters
10600 N.E. 51st Circle
Vancouver, WA 98682
(360) 891-5000
TTY: (360) 891-5003
Cowlitz Valley
Ranger District
10024 US Hwy 12
PO Box 670
Randle, WA 98377
(360) 497-1100
TTY: (360) 497-1101
Mt. Adams
Ranger District
2455 Hwy 141
Trout Lake, WA 98650
(509) 395-3400
TTY: (360) 891-5003
Mount St. Helens
National Volcanic
Monument
Monument Headquarters
42218 N.E. Yale Bridge Rd.
Amboy, WA 98601
(360) 449-7800
TTY: (360) 891-5003
Johnston Ridge Observatory
24000 Spirit Lake Highway
P.O. Box 326
Toutle, WA 98649
(360) 274-2140
Mount St. Helens
Visitor Center
at Silver Lake
3029 Spirit Lake Highway
Castle Rock, WA 98611
(Operated by Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission)
TTY: Phone for the Deaf
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Passes
& Permits
Christmas Tree Cutting
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2008
Christmas Tree News Release
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Christmas
Tree permits go on sale November 21, 2008.
NOTE:
Visitors should take precautions before traveling on Forest roads,
including checking weather conditions, calling the local Forest
office or checking
the Forest website for the latest road conditions, and carrying
the appropriate safety items such as tire chains, shovel, food and
water, and extra warm clothes. Visitors are reminded that they travel
at their own risk on Forest roads, and cell phone coverage does
not exist in much of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. |
Beginning Friday, November
21, 2008, bundle up, purchase your permit and head into your National
Forest for your own special Christmas Tree. Christmas Tree cutting
permits are just $5. |
Remember,
a permit does not guarantee you will find a suitable tree. There
are no refunds.
Fact Sheet
Future of the
Christmas Tree Program
The Forest has offered this program for decades. The programs long
tradition has been enjoyed by the public and employees. The GPNF
has provided a variety of both planted and natural tree species
from which to choose, most of which are a product of former harvest
areas that have been reforested. Today, the trees found in old harvest
areas are quickly growing beyond suitable Christmas Tree size. While
we continue to work at offering a Christmas Tree Program on the
GPNF, the number of trees available will likely decline over the
next decade. Since 2005 the Forest Christmas Tree program has been
part of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. Under this
act the Forest retains 80% of Christmas Tree Permit receipts. The
Forest will be reviewing ways of using these funds to enhance the
Forest Christmas Tree Program.
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![Image of a cut Chrismas Tree](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090116005242im_/http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation/passes/images/christmas-tree-left.gif) |
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Safety
Tips |
- Be Prepared For Winter
Weather Conditions!
Winter weather conditions can change rapidly in the Pacific Cascade
Range. Be prepared for any type of weather before you set out.
- Arrive Early At Your Cutting Area.
The sun sets very early compared to summer. It may take longer
than you think to find that one special tree. Do what you can
to avoid driving home in the dark, but don't hurry. Your safety
is most important.
- Carry Your Winter Safety Gear.
Carry tire chains, shovel, flashlights, and blankets in your vehicle.
You might to even consider food and drink. Most National Forest
roads are not maintained or snowplowed during the winter.
- Dress Appropriately!
Wear proper winter clothing and carry extras in case you get wet.
You might be warm, dry and comfortable when you start, but you
may be tired and cold as the day wears on. Consider an extra jacket,
mittens or gloves, hat and scarf to carry in your vehicle.
- Drive Safely And Slowly.
Turn on your lights when driving on national forest roads, even
if the sun is shining. You might be able to see perfectly well
but can others see you? Also, watch for snow and ice. Most National
Forest roads are not maintained or snowplowed during the winter.
- Tell Someone You Will Be Gone.
Let someone know where you are going and when to expect you back.
If you have a cellular phone consider bringing with you. Make
sure the battery is fully charged. Most important - your cell
phone signal will not work in most areas of the national forest!
- Watch Your Step!
Steep terrain and deep snow make walking difficult. Take your
time and watch your step.
- Be Careful With Your Tools.
Your ax or saw are sharp. Be careful. Do you have a first aid
kit in your car as well?
- You Are Not The Only One On The Road.
Park your vehicle on road shoulder or in turnouts. Do not block
the roadway.
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Tree
Cutting Instructions |
![Sample Tree Cutting Permit](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090116005242im_/http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation/passes/images/2002-christmas-tree-permit.jpg) |
- Cut one tree per permit.
- Select trees not more than twelve (12) feet tall.
- Tree topping is prohibited.
- Cut the tree twelve (12) inches or less above the ground level.
Remove snow around tree base if needed. Cut off live limbs remaining
on the stump.
- To make your trip back to the car easier, slide your tree on
a plastic tarp.
- Upon return to your vehicle, punch out month, day, and year
on permit. Immediately attach securely to your freshly cut tree
where it will be clearly visible.
- Christmas Tree cutting maps: Southern
GP, Mount St.
Helens, Cowlitz
map 1, Cowlitz map 2,
Mt. Adams map 1, Mt.
Adams map 2
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Special
Instructions |
- For Information on Mount St. Helens and other Forest
closures visit the Special
Conditions page.
- A Christmas tree permit is for your personal use only. The use
of a personal Christmas Tree Cutting Permit for any other purpose
is prohibited.
- A violation of the personal tree cutting permit can result in
fines up to $5,000 and/or six months in jail.
- There is a limit of five personal permits per person.
- Christmas tree permits are not refundable for any reason.
- Tree cutting is prohibited in congressionally designated Wilderness
Areas, the congressionally designated Mount St. Helens National
Volcanic Monument, experimental forests, developed campgrounds,
administrative sites, within 300 feet of streams, on private or
state owned lands within national forest boundaries, and in any
other posted area.
- Gifford Pinchot National Forest Christmas tree permits are not
valid on other land ownerships. Cutting on private lands is subject
to trespass action.
- If unsure about areas available for tree cutting, contact the
nearest Ranger District office or a Forest Service Officer in
the field. Sno-Park permits are required when parking in a designated
Sno-Park area and Northwest Forest Passes are required at designated
trailheads.
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Keeping Your Tree
Fresh |
- Make A Fresh Cut - When you get your tree home,
make a fresh cut on the butt to open up the pores which have been
clogged by sap. Cut off at least one-half inch. The fresh-cut
surface should be creamy-white, not yellow or brown. If you do
not make a fresh cut, the tree will not be able to drink water.
After the cut is made, put the tree in water as soon as possible.
Even if a hole is drilled to accommodate a pin-type stand, a fresh
cut should also be made on the butt.
- Put Your Tree In Water - Place the tree in
a sturdy stand which will hold at least one gallon of water per
day. Fill with plain water. If the tree is not going into the
house right away, it should be stored in a bucket of water on
a cool porch or patio away from wind or sun.
- Water Daily - An average tree may consume between
a quart and a gallon of water per day. If the water level drops
below the cut end of the trunk, a seal will form and no more water
will be absorbed by the tree.
- Mini-Lights Produce Minimum Heat - Miniature
lights produce much less heat and reduce the drying effect upon
the tree. Always check light sets for frayed or cracked wire insulation
and broken sockets before placing them on a tree. Do not attempt
to repair a worn light set. Throw it away and buy a new set. Always
turn off the lights of your tree when leaving the house or retiring
for the night.
- Keep Away From Heat Sources - Place the tree
away from heat sources such as heating vents, fireplaces, wood
stoves and fireplace inserts, radiators, television sets or sunny
windows. It would not hurt to have a fire extingusher (Class C)
nearby.
- Remove the Tree Promptly - After Christmas,
before the tree dries, remove it from the house for pick up by
your disposal service or for your local chipping and compost program.
Never burn any part of a Christmas tree in a wood stove or fireplace.
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Where
To Buy Your Tree Permit |
Permit
Sales on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest will begin on Friday,
November 21, 2008, at the following Forest locations:
Sales are by Cash
or Check ONLY at Forest Service offices.
Permit Sales on the Gifford
Pinchot National Forest will begin on Friday, November 21, 2008,
at the following vendor locations:
• Amboy, WA - Amboy
Market
• Ashford, WA - Ashford Valley Grocery
• Ashford, WA - Suvers General Store
• Ashford, WA – Whittaker Mountaineering
• Chelatchie, WA - Chelatchie Prairie General Store
• Cougar, WA - Cougar Store
• Cougar, WA - Lone Fir Resort
• Elbe, WA - Elbe Grocery
• Home Valley, WA – Home Valley Store
• Packwood, WA - Blanton’s Market
• Randle, WA - Fischer’s Market
• Randle, WA – J&L Country Mart
(Shell station)
• Randle, WA - Randle One Stop
• Stabler, WA - Stabler Country Store
• Stevenson, WA - Main Street Convenience Store (24 hours)
• Trout Lake, WA - Little Mountain (True Value) Hardware
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Use
Your Permit On The Mount Hood National Forest |
Your
National Forest Christmas Tree Cutting Permit may be used instead
on the Mount Hood National
Forest just south of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in
Oregon. Likewise, a Mount Hood NF permit may be used on the Gifford
Pinchot NF.
What is important
is you need a National Forest Christmas Tree Cutting Permit before
you can cut down any Christmas Tree in a National Forest participating
in the national program! Also, there are different special
instructions for each Forest participating in the program. You are
responsible for abiding by the specific instructions for a particular
Forest.
For information on cutting
christmas trees on land managed by BLM please contact
your closest BLM office. |
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