Where to cut a Christmas tree in Utah

Where to cut a Christmas tree in Utah

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SALT LAKE CITY — Christmas is approaching and if you want the aroma of evergreens and the ambiance of a real tree, you can get a permit and cut your own tree at several national forests throughout Utah and Wyoming.

All trees must be cut close the ground, leaving the stump no higher than 6 inches, according to an Ashley National Forest press release. Tree topping is not allowed in any national forest and people are not allowed to cut a tree within 200 feet of a lake, stream, road, campground, picnic area, administrative site or summer home area.

Several national forests allow Christmas tree cutting. Here is a list of where to cut your tree and where to get a permit:

Ashley National Forest

Flaming Gorge Ranger District

Permits for this area are now available and can be purchased at the Flaming Gorge Ranger District office at the intersection of Highway 43 and Highway 44 in Manila and at the Flaming Gorge Resort in Dutch John. Permits can also be purchased at the Green River Chamber office in Green River, Wyoming on Mondays and Fridays from 9:30 a.m to 2 p.m. Permits are $10 each and are non-refundable.

Duchesne Ranger District

Permits may be purchased at the Duchesne Ranger District Office and the Bonanza Store in Duchesne. They are also available at the Hanna Country Store in Hanna and Stewart’s Market in Roosevelt. Permits are $10 and are limited to one permit per household.

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Vernal Ranger DistrictThe Vernal Ranger District sells permits for trees at the Vernal Office, Davis Jubilee Store and Shirley’s Country Corner. Permits are $10 each.

Dixie National Forest

Cedar City Ranger District

Permits for this district can be obtained at the Cedar City Ranger District office and the Hurst Ace Hardware Store. Permits are $10 for a tree up to 10 feet and $20 for a tree between 11 feet and 20 feet. Christmas tree permits are limited to one permit per household. The only species of trees that can be cut in this district are sub-alpine fir, white fir and pinyon pine, according to the news release.

National Forest officials ask that people check with the Cedar City Ranger District office before traveling to obtain the most current road condition information for the area.

Escalante Ranger District

Permits can be purchased at the Escalante Ranger District office and the Antimony Merc in Antimony. Permits are $10 with a limit of one permit per household. All species of tree may be cut, except bristlecone pine.

Powell Ranger District

Permits for trees in this district can be purchased at the Powell Ranger District office in Panguitch. Permits can also be obtained by mail. Permits are $10 for a tree up to 10 feet and $20 for a tree 11 feet to 20 feet. All species of trees can be cut, except bristlecone pine.

St. George Interagency Visitor Center

Permits can be purchased at the St. George Visitor Center and the Veyo Mercantile in Veyo. Pinyon pine and juniper are the only species of trees that may be cut on this district. Permits are $10 each and one individual can purchase up to five tags.

Fishlake National Forest

Christmas tree permits for Fishlake National Forest sell for $10 each and they must be obtained in person; mail orders and phone requests will not be accepted, the news release said. The permits must be securely attached to the harvested tree and remain with that tree during transport. Most species of trees on the Fishlake National Forest may be cut, except for ponderosa pine.

Richfield Ranger District

Permits for this district are now available and may be purchased during regular office hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday, Nov. 29 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Fremont River Ranger District

Permits can be purchased at the Fremont River Ranger District. The Fishlake Basin Recreation Area, including Johnson Valley, is closed to tree cutting from the Fishlake National Forest boundary on the west to Zedd’s Meadow on the east. Cutting ponderosa pine is prohibited, except on the Boulder Mountain of the Fremont River Ranger District.

Fillmore Ranger District

Permits will be sold Nov. 17 to Dec. 19 at the Fillmore Ranger District office. Permits are limited to one per household, but additional additional tags may be purchased for neighbors, family members, etc., the news release said.

National forest officials recommend cutting Christmas trees in the following areas of the Fillmore Ranger District: Whiskey Creek, John Williams Canyon, Chalk Creek, Meadow Creek, Cove Fort, Willow Creek and Wild Goose Canyon. Trees may not be cut in Dry Creek and Oak Creek Canyon.

Beaver Ranger District

Permits may be purchased at Fishlake Lumber in Beaver, Beaver Sports and Pawn, the Piute County Sheriff’s Office, Don’s Sinclair in Salina and Larsen’s Ace Hardware in Richfield. Blue spruce may not be cut in this district and tree cutting is not allowed in the Merchant Valley Summer Home area or along the visible edge of state Route 153.

Manti-Lasal National Forest

Permits for the Manti-Lasal National Forest can be purchased by mail. Customers should send a self-addressed, stamped envelope, with a request for the permit, their name, mailing address, phone number and a check for $10 per permit in an envelope marked “Attention: Christmas Tree Sales.” Checks should be made payable to the USDA Forest Service.

Ferron/Price Ranger Districts and Monticello Ranger Districts

Christmas tree permits for the Ferron and Price Ranger Districts on Monday. There is a limit of three permits per person for these districts and permits are $10 each, non-refundable. To buy a permit for a tree taller than 8 feet, the buyer must pay $.50 per additional foot, payable when the permit is purchased. Permits should be purchased on the district where trees will be cut.

Permits can be purchased at the Moab Information Center, the Choice Hardware & Home Center in Nephi, Beck’s Home Furnishings in Mt. Pleasant, Rasmussen Ace Hardware in Gunnison, the Main Street Market in Ferron and Sutherland Lumber in Price.

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Evanston District

Permits for the Evanston District can be purchased at the Evanston Ranger District Office and the Bear River Lodge. Permits are $10 with a limit of one permit per household. A permit allows up to a 20-foot tree. Any species of tree may be cut, but lodgepole pine is the main species in the area.

Cutting is not allowed in the Lily Lake cross country ski area and snow conditions in other areas may require permit holders to use snowmobiles, cross-country skis or snowshoes. The gates on the Mirror Lake Highway and on the North Slope Road are typically closed during the first week of December, limiting access for people without a snow machine.

Mountain View Ranger District

Permits can be purchased at the Mountain View Ranger District and the Benedict Thriftway/True Value store. Any species of tree may be cut, but lodgepole pine is the main species in the area. Permits are $10 each with a limit of one permit per household.

Spanish Fork Ranger District

The Spanish Fork Ranger District began issuing its 400 permits on Nov. 6. There are still 100 permits available and will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis until all the tags have been sold. Tree cutting permits are $10 each and are limited one per adult, 16 years or older.

Permits for this district are designated for cutting areas within the Vernon area located in Tooele County. Only pinyon pine or juniper trees 20 feet tall or shorter may be cut and removed. Trees may be cut until Dec. 24 and all trees must be tagged prior to transporting them.

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Faith Heaton Jolley

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