Black Hills National Forest

US Forest Service
Black Hills National Forest
1019 N. 5th Street
Custer, SD 57730
605-673-9200

Telephone for the
Hearing Impaired
605-673-9227

News Release

USDA Forest Service

Black Hills National Forest

Contact: Rick Hudson (605) 673-9239 or Karen Lloyd (605) 673-9335, or email us at r2 blackhills webinfo@fs.fed.us

O CHRISTMAS TREE, HOW LOVELY ARE YOUR BRANCHES!

CUSTER, SD: NOVEMBER 15, 2007

Have you dreamed of a family outing in the forest to cut your own fresh Christmas tree? Beginning November 13, 2007, you can buy tags at area Black Hills Forest Service offices in western South Dakota and northeast Wyoming to cut your perfect tree.

White spruce, ponderosa pine and western juniper are available and can be cut in many parts of the National Forest. The maximum height of cut trees is 20 feet. The entire tree must be cut, and any unused branches must be cut so they lie flat on the ground with a stump no more than six inches high. After Christmas, used trees should be disposed of properly as yard waste.

Each tree tag costs $10. The adhesive tag must be attached to each tree before removal from the forest. A citation may be issued for possessing an untagged Christmas tree, even if a tag is available in the vehicle. Trees are for personal use only and cannot be resold. There are no refunds for unused permits and all permits expire December 26, 2007.

Tags are available by mail from the Forest Supervisor's Office, 1019 North 5th Street, Custer, SD 57730. Enclose a check or money order in the amount of $10 for each tree, up to a maximum of five trees per individual. The Forest Service will mail tags and cutting instructions. The last day to purchase a tree tag is Friday, December 21, 2007.

Trees may not be cut in developed recreation sites or Forest Service administrative sites, active timber sales, Black Hills Experimental Forest near Rochford, Black Elk Wilderness, Beaver Park area near Sturgis, or within Spearfish Canyon.

Permits are available at these Forest Service offices:

1) Rapid City, SD - Mystic Ranger District office, 8221 South Hwy 16, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday November 24th and Saturday December 1st from 9:00 am to 1:00 p.m. Phone 605.343.1567.

2) Custer, SD - Forest Supervisor's office, 1019 North 5th Street, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone 605.673.9200.

3) Newcastle, WY - Hell Canyon District office, 1225 Washington Blvd., Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone 307.746.2782.

4) Spearfish, SD - Northern Hills Ranger District office, 2014 North Main St., Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone 605.642.4622.

5) Sundance, WY - Bearlodge Ranger District office, Highway 14 East, Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone 307.283.1361.

6) Hot Springs, SD – Nebraska N.F., Fall River Ranger District office, 1801 Hwy 18 Truck Bypass, Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Phone 605.745.4107.

Several private vendors throughout the Black Hills area will also be selling permits. Call your local Forest Service office or check the Black Hills National Forest website for a listing at http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/blackhills/. Current vendors include: Boyd’s in Rapid City, Mistletoe Ranch and Highway Hardware in Hill City, and Rapid Stop Conoco in Sundance. Other vendors are planned at Spearfish, Sturgis, and Deadwood, but please call or check the website for location updates.

All Forest Service offices will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. The Forest Service office in Rapid City will be open the Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 24, and on the first Saturday in December, December 1st, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Trees should be placed in water as soon as possible to help keep needles fresh. Once indoors, trees should be placed away from stoves, heaters, or heating ducts. After Christmas, used trees should be disposed of properly as yard waste. Please do not dump used trees on national forest land.

For more forest news visit the Black Hills National Forest website at www.fs.fed.us/r2/blackhills.