Christmas tree permits now available

Lolo National Forest Christmas tree permits are now available for finding the perfect tree for your home this holiday season.

This family tradition develops some of the best childhood memories and it seems to increase a little bit each year. Young families keep this ritual alive as the older ones tend to drop off with the convenience of an artificial or tree farm stands set up in shopping center parking lots.

The Lolo National Forest covers Mineral County entirely and a huge chuck of Sanders County is inside their boundary. Permits are $5 and can be purchased at the Superior Forest Service Ranger Station, 209 Riverside Avenue West in Superior or at the Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger station at 408 Clayton Street, Plains.

Cash, personal check, and credit cards are accepted at all office locations (exact change is encouraged). Permits may also be purchased on www.recreation.gov/tree-permits/ for a cost of $5 with a $2.50 transaction fee.

“Harvesting a National Forest Christmas tree for the holiday season is a long-standing tradition on the Lolo National Forest,” said Kate Jerman, Lolo National Forest spokesperson. “We encourage the public to check-in with their local offices for suggested harvest locations, harvest tips, and regulations. This year, we are also excited to offer fourth graders free Christmas tree permits through the ‘Every Kid Outdoors Program’.” Through the EKO program, fourth graders are eligible for one free Christmas tree permit by presenting a valid EKO pass or paper voucher at a Lolo National Forest office to receive the permit. Fourth graders need to visit www.everykidoutdoors.gov to obtain the pass or paper voucher.

Regulations for cutting Christmas Trees:

All permits need to be printed.

• Your permit allows you to cut Christmas trees on the Lolo National Forest only.

• Make sure you cut your tree on public lands by checking a Lolo National Forest Visitor Map and follow road restrictions on the Motor Vehicle Use Map.

• Up to three trees can be harvested per permit for $5 per tree.

• Do not cut on private land, in wilderness areas, designated recreation sites, previously thinned areas, or existing tree plantations.

• Do not cut in active timber sales or areas that have been planted with new trees.

• Do not cut trees visible from major roads, within 150-feet of streams or creeks, or in other well used areas.

• Stump height is 6 inches maximum • Take the whole tree. Cutting the tree top off is prohibited.

• If snow is on the ground, remove it from around the stump so you can accurately measure the stump and tree height.

• Cut branches off the stump and scatter them.

• Please post your permit on your dash. For harvest tips and information on how to care for your tree, please visit the Lolo National Forest webpage or follow us on Facebook @LoloNationalForest and Twitter @LoloNF.