It’s that time of year again. Find that perfect tree this holiday season and keep family traditions alive–or start new ones–by cutting a Christmas tree within the Lassen National Forest.
Christmas tree cutting permits are on sale from Nov. 1 through Dec. 24, the Lassen National Forest reports. Permits are available by purchase through the mail, at any Lassen district office and forest supervisor’s office during normal business hours. They are also available from one of these local vendors:
| Collier Hardware 105 Broadway, Chico, CA 95928 M-F 8-5, Sa 9-5, Su 10-4 | Chico True Value Hardware 936 Mangrove Ave Chico, CA 95926 M-F 8-5:30, Sa 8-5, Su 10-3 | Valley Ace Hardware 1350 Hartnell Ave Redding, CA 96002 M-Sa 7-7, Su 8-6 | |||
| Butte Meadows Resort 7473 Humboldt Road Butte Meadows, CA 95942 W 12-5, Th-Su 9-6 | Lake Almanor Ace Hardware 417 Main Street Chester, CA 96020 M-Sa 8:30-5, Su 10-4 | Susanville Supermarket IGA 50 Grand Ave. Susanville, CA 96130 5-10 7 days a week | |||
| Zavaterro’s Grocery 15509 Nopel Ave Forest Ranch, CA 95942 M-Sa 9-8, Su 9-7 | Intermountain Hardware 201 Main Street Chester, CA 96020 M-Sa 7:30-5, Su 8-4 |
Permits are $10 each with a maximum of two permits per household. A permit allows cutting up to December 25. Fillable order forms for mail ordering Christmas tree permits, with detailed instructions, can be found at https://bit.ly/3BYDS4G. Mail order forms must be received no later than December 7 for processing.
Cutting a Christmas tree improves forest health, Lassen Forest officials report. The permit system helps to thin densely populated stands of small-diameter trees. Removing these trees in designated areas helps other trees grow larger and can open areas that provide food for wildlife, officials said.
Though tree cutting is permitted through Dec. 25, Lassen Forest officials recommend cutting early in the season before higher elevations become snowbound. Trees can stay fresh for several weeks when properly stored but begin to lose moisture as soon as they are cut. Place them in water as soon as possible, officials recommend.
All Travel Management Rules for motor vehicles are in effect when cutting holiday trees. The Motor Vehicle Use Maps available on the forest website show all open roads and trails available for motor vehicle use under these rules. Forest officials urge cutters to practice good stewardship and be certain the tree cut is located on national forest lands. The maximum height of the stump left behind should be no taller than 12 inches above bare soil, with no live branches on the stump. Topping trees is not permitted.
Tree cutters should be prepared for unpredictable weather changes and colder conditions in higher elevations, especially as the season progresses. A fun family outing can become dangerous for the unprepared during rapidly changing weather patterns. Plan trips accordingly: check the weather and road conditions, let someone know where you are going and when you will return, have a full tank of fuel in your vehicle, bring plenty of warm clothes, water, emergency food, tire chains, shovel, a saw, or axe to cut your tree, and a tarp and rope to bring it home.
Lassen Forest office hours, locations, maps, a list of local vendors selling Christmas tree cutting permits, and tips for cutting Christmas trees are available at the forest website.
Information provided by Lassen National Forest