Black Hills National Forest

News Release

USDA Forest Service

Black Hills National Forest

Contact: Rick Hudson at (605) 673-9200, or email us at r2 blackhills webinfo@fs.fed.us

NATIONAL FOREST CHRISTMAS TREE PERMITS AVAILABLE

CUSTER, SD: NOVEMBER 12, 2009

Cut your own fresh Christmas tree this year from the Black Hills National Forest. Beginning November 16, 2009, you can buy tree tags at most Black Hills Forest Service offices in western South Dakota and northeast Wyoming. Several offices already have tags available.

Tree tags will also be available within the next week at several vendor locations in the Black Hills area. Wednesday, December 23 is the last day permits will be sold at most Forest Service offices. To be sure they still have tags available, please call ahead to the specific Forest Service office, especially if you wait until December 24 to purchase a tag.

White spruce, ponderosa pine and western juniper are available and can be cut in many parts of the National Forest. The maximum height of cut trees is 20 feet. The entire tree must be cut, and any unused branches must be cut so they lie flat on the ground with a stump no more than six inches high. After Christmas, used trees should be disposed of properly as yard waste. Please do not dump used trees on national forest land.

Trees should be placed in water as soon as possible to help keep needles fresh. Once indoors, trees should be placed away from stoves, heaters, or heating ducts.

Each tree costs $10. An adhesive tag must be attached to each tree before removal from the woods; a citation may be issued for possessing an untagged Christmas tree, even if a tag is available in the vehicle. Trees are for personal use only and cannot be resold. There are no refunds for uncut trees or unused permits, and all permits expire December 31st. Please note that Forest Service offices do not accept credit card purchases.

Permits are available by mail from the Forest Supervisor's Office, 1019 North 5th Street, Custer, SD 57730. Enclose a check or money order in the amount of $10 for each tree, up to a maximum of five trees per individual. The Forest Service will mail permit tags and cutting instructions.

Trees may not be cut in developed recreation sites or Forest Service administrative sites, active timber sales, Black Hills Experimental Forest near Rochford, Black Elk Wilderness, Beaver Park area near Sturgis, or within Spearfish Canyon.

Permits are available at these Forest Service offices:

1) Rapid City, SD - Mystic Ranger District office, 8221 South Hwy 16, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays November 28, December 5, and December 12. Hours will be from 8:00 am to 5:00 p.m. Phone 605.343.1567.

2) Custer, SD - Forest Supervisor's office, 1019 North 5Th Street, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone 605.673.9200.

3) Newcastle, WY - Hell Canyon District office, 1225 Washington Blvd., Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone 307.746.2782.

4) Spearfish, SD - Northern Hills Ranger District office, 2014 North Main St., Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30. Phone 605.642.4622.

5) Sundance, WY - Bearlodge Ranger District office, Highway 14 East, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone 307.283.1361.

6) Hot Springs, SD – Nebraska N.F., Fall River Ranger District office, 1801 Hwy 18 Truck Bypass, Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Phone 605.745.4107.

• Several private vendors throughout the Black Hills area will also be selling permits. Call your local Forest Service office or check the Black Hills N.F. website for a listing at http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/blackhills/.

Current vendors include:
in Rapid City - Johnson Siding General Store, 12300 West Highway 44, Rapid City, SD 57702 (Rimrock Highway); Hardware Hank, 770 Mountain View Road, Rapid City, SD 57702; Boyd's Drug Mart - 2 locations - Westside, Baken Park and Eastside, 909 East St. Patrick Street, Rapid City, SD;
in Hill City - Apex Technology Solutions Group (Alltel), 427 Main Street, Hill City, SD 57745; Mistletoe Ranch, 23835 Highway 385, Hill City, SD 57745;
in Sundance, WY at Rapid Stop Conoco, Hwy. 14 and I-90,
in Sturgis at the Cenex Convenience Store, 2030 Lazelle Street,
in Deadwood at the Chamber of Commerce and
in Spearfish at the Minitman Too, 611 E. Jackson.

All Forest Service offices will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. For more information call your local Forest Service office or check the Forest’s website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/blackhills/

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