Christmas Tree Permits Available Online from Shasta-Trinity National Forest Beginning November 1st

This is a press release from the Shasta-Trinity National Forest:

Christmas tree permits for the Shasta-Trinity National Forest will be available for purchase beginning November 1, 2021. Forest offices remain closed because of the Covid-19 pandemic, however, there are several alternatives to purchasing permits, including in person through a local vendor, online through Recreation.gov, and by submitting a mail in request to your local forest District Office.  An item to note is that the Shasta-Trinity NF will no longer issue permits valid on the Lassen National Forest. Individuals who are interested in permits for the Lassen NF should visit the following website for details: go.usa.gov/xGFG8, or contact their local District Office. Permits do not authorize cutting on private land, please be respectful of private property.  As a result of wildfires there are many closures on the forest, the Christmas tree permit does not authorize entrance into closed areas. Please refer to the Alerts & Notices page on the Shasta-Trinity NF website for up-to-date information; https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/stnf/alerts-notices.

To purchase a Christmas Tree permit on Recreation.gov, visit www.recreation.gov/tree-permits/stnf. It is important to carefully read the overview and the need-to-know information prior to purchasing the permit. Visitors will need to set up, or login to, a Recreation.gov account to complete the transaction. Permits will be $10.00 plus a $2.50 service fee. Fourth-grade students are eligible for a Christmas tree permit for the $2.50 service fee under the Every Kid Outdoors program. The Forest is working to establish vendor agreements in local communities and will update the website as appropriate. Alternatively, you can purchase a permit through the mail by contacting your local Forest office.  Please keep in mind that the timeframe for processing a mail request may take up to two weeks.

The Shasta-Trinity NF website www.fs.usda.gov/goto/stnf/christmastreepermits also contains Christmas tree cutting information, designated cutting area maps, and Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM). The Christmas Tree Cutting Maps, and MVUM, are georeferenced and can be downloaded to your smart phone or device and through the map store in the Avenza App.

An added benefit of the Christmas tree program is cutting a Christmas tree improves forest health.  The permit system helps to thin densely populated stands of small-diameter trees.  Local forest health experts identify areas that benefit from thinning trees that tend to be the perfect size for Christmas trees.  Removing these trees in designated areas helps other trees grow larger and can open areas that provide forage for wildlife.