If cutting your own Christmas tree is a beloved family tradition — or you’d like it to be —the recreation.gov website has information about how to get a permit and where you can use it.
Permits are available for the Pike and San Isabel National Forest that allow cutting through Dec. 15. They cost $20 each and are limited to five per household.
Fourth-grade students with an Every Kid Outdoors pass can apply for a free Christmas tree permit through recreation.gov by selecting the option and then entering their voucher or pass number when prompted.
Permits are valid only in the district for which they were purchased. They are not transferable and can’t be extended from one year to the next.
Print out your Christmas tree permit and make sure you have it with you.
The nearest cutting areas are in the Pikes Peak Ranger District, northwest of Woodland Park in the north Divide area and off Forest Service roads 339 and 342.
Be sure to print the map when you purchase your permit and use it to navigate to the tree-cutting areas. Don’t rely on GPS, because it may not be up-to-date with Forest Service roads.
Maps showing public and private land boundaries are available online and at district offices. The Pikes Peak Ranger District office is at 601 S. Weber St. in Colorado Springs.
Before you head out, check the latest weather conditions and research seasonal road closures. Annual closures that take effect Dec. 1 include Lodgepole Flats near Leadville, the Four Mile travel management area near Buena Vista and the Greenhorn area near Westcliffe.
Tools to take along include: a handsaw (no chainsaws or power saws are allowed), gloves, warm boots, a tape measure to ensure you select a tree that fits in your home, a tarp to sit on and/or to move your tree once it’s cut, and rope or straps to secure your tree to your vehicle.
Pets are welcome, but must be under control at all times.
Dress warmly and take extra clothing. Pack food and water, as well as an overnight survival kit in case you become stranded.
Cell service may be spotty or unavailable. Bring a map and tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to return.
Park in areas so that traffic can get by safely, and do not block gates.
Forest roads may not be plowed. A four-wheel drive vehicle or tire chains may be needed to access some areas. Skis or snowshoes may also be used.
Be cautious on icy and snowy roads and don’t cause damage by creating ruts on muddy roads.
Don’t cut on private land, in wilderness areas, designated campgrounds or tree plantations. Don’t cut in or within 200 feet of developed areas, including picnic areas, recreation areas, trailheads, scenic overlooks and administrative sites.
Christmas tree cutting is prohibited in timber sale areas, so don’t cut any tree marked with colored paint, flagging or signs. And don’t cut trees within 100 feet of any waterway, forest road or trail.
You may cut a tree up to 15 feet tall or 6 inches in diameter at ground level.
Any species of tree may be cut; however, bristlecone pines are not recommended because they release a lot of sap, which can be a fire hazard.
Choose a tree from a densely forested area so the remaining trees have more space to grow.
If snow is on the ground, remove it from around the stump so you can accurately measure the stump and tree height. Trees must be cut within 6 inches of the ground.
Cut any live branches off the stump, and cut off and scatter any dead branches on the lower portion of the tree.
Carry your tree carefully out of the woods. Dragging it will rub off needles and bark.
If the tree is too big to transport inside your vehicle, wrap it in canvas to prevent wind damage.
Once home, cut the bottom inch or so off the trunk and place it in a bucket of water. Remember to replenish the water.
If storing your tree outside for a few days before putting it in the house, keep it in a cool area protected from the wind and too much sun, such as the north or east side of your house.
The funds from Christmas tree permits purchased through the recreation.gov system will go back to the participating forest through Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act funding requirements.
Anyone cutting or removing trees from a national forest without a valid permit will be subject to a fine of up to $5,000 and/or six months in prison.
Information: www.recreation.gov/tree-permits, search for Pike and San Isabel National Forest.