Rocky Mountain Region

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!

The Rocky Mountain Region manages 17 national forests throughout Colorado, Nebraska, along with most of South Dakota and Wyoming. 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!

• CORE CUTTING DATES / GENERAL PERMIT REQUIREMENTS
• REQUIREMENTS/RECOMMENDATIONS WHEN CUTTING A TREE
• TIPS FOR HELPING YOUR TREE STAY MOIST LONGER

CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO BE TAKEN TO THE WEB SITE FOR EACH FOREST:

COLORADO

• Denver & Front Range Areas: Four primary cutting areas along the Front Range in the Arapaho, Pike and Roosevelt National Forests serve metro Denver and surrounding communities. The core dates this year are December 6-14, 2008. more >>
  • Click HERE to see a map
  • Click HERE to view FAQs
• Arapaho National Forest
• Gunnison National Forest
• Pike National Forest
• Roosevelt National Forest
• Routt National Forest
• San Isabel National Forest
• San Juan National Forest
• White River National Forest

NEBRASKA

• Nebraska National Forest

SOUTH DAKOTA

• Black Hills National Forest

WYOMING

• Bighorn National Forest
• Medicine Bow National Forest
• Shoshone National Forest

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REMEMBER THAT LOCAL EXCEPTIONS MAY APPLY TO THE INFORMATION BELOW!

CORE CUTTING DATES / 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.

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REMEMBER THAT LOCAL EXCEPTIONS MAY APPLY TO THE INFORMATION BELOW!

RECOMMENDATIONS/REQUIREMENTS 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!

Click on the images below for a larger picture.
This person shows what it takes to cut a tree with a stump of 6 inches or less.	This permit shows the desired height of stump... 6 inches or less.

• Cut a tree close to other trees to help thin the forest
• Use handsaws ONLY - chainsaws are strictly prohibited!!

Click on the images below for a larger picture.
This photo shows the supplies that you need to cut your own Christmas tree.	This photo shows the supplies that you need to cut your own Christmas tree - except a tarp.

• 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 on the Colorado Department of Transportation Web site or call Ranger 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 in or on your vehicle for the trip home

Click on the images below for a larger picture.
This photo shows the correct way to wrap your tree prior to loading it in or on your car.	This photo shows the correct way to load your tree on your car - wrapped in a tarp and tied down with rope.

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TIPS FOR HELPING YOUR TREE STAY MOIST 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.

"FIRE MINIMIZING " MIXTURE"

• 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 (available at garden shops)

HOW DOES THIS "FIRE-MINIMIZING" MIXTURE 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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U.S. Forest Service
Rocky Mountain Region
740 Simms St
Golden, CO 80401
303-275-5350

TTD ⁄ TTY
303-275-5367