Regional News

Christmas tree permits available starting Nov. 1; permits now available for purchase online


Oct 29, 2019

Bright twinkling lights, handmade ornaments, and the scent of pine in the air all bring to mind thoughts about the upcoming holiday season and the Christmas tree which is the center of many homes.

Starting November 1, it will be easier to obtain a permit to cut Christmas trees from the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Forest visitors may purchase them in person at national forest offices, from participating vendors, or now online. The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is one of 13 National Forests participating in offering permits online through the Open Forest system pilot program.

Permits purchased online will have to be printed to be valid. However, this program allows people to purchase Christmas tree permits from the comfort of their own home, or by using their mobile device, instead of traveling to a Forest Service office.  Learn more online about purchasing a permit and gathering a Christmas tree at https://openforest.fs.usda.gov.

Free tree permits are available to fourth graders as part of the national Every Kid Outdoors initiative. Fourth graders with a valid Every Kid Outdoors pass can get one free holiday tree cutting permit from the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. In order for students to receive a free tree permit, they must present an Every Kid Outdoors pass or a valid paper voucher printed from the Every Kid Outdoors website.

Christmas tree permits cost $5 each. Each tree permit allows a family to cut one tree, with a tree height limit of 15 feet, or dig a small live transplant tree. Permits are limited to two permits per household. The permits are non-refundable and are only good on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Christmas trees cannot be harvested in Wilderness areas, campgrounds, developed recreation areas, or tree plantations.

Traditional permits are available at all ranger district offices and the forest headquarters in Wenatchee. Most forest offices are open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; be aware, permits are not available from the Naches and Cle Elum district offices after 4 p.m.

For more information about the Christmas tree program on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, please contact local ranger district offices or visit the forest website at https://go.usa.gov/xV7SG 


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