News Release

USDA Forest Service

Tonto National Forest

Christmas tree-cutting tag sales begin Sat. Oct. 10 at 17 select Big 5 Sporting Goods stores throughout Arizona

PHOENIX (September 30, 2009) – Christmas tree tag sales for cutting an individual Christmas tree on one of five Arizona national forests begins on Saturday, October 10 at 17 selected Big 5 Sporting Goods stores located throughout Arizona. The cost of a tree-cutting permit is $15.

Program chairperson Candy Luhrsen announced that this year there are 6,375 tags available for the Christmas tree-cutting program, up by 2,525 tags from last year. Five national forests are providing tags to 17 Big 5 Sporting Goods for over-the-counter sales:  the Apache-Sitgreaves NF has 4,600 tags available for all species in their tree-cutting areas. The Coconino NF has 250 tags available for fir trees.  The Kaibab NF has 1,000 tags available for one cutting area (Tusayan ranger district) restricted to piñon or juniper. The Prescott NF offers 225 tags this year for any tree species in two recommended cutting areas. The Tonto NF has 300 tags for either piñon or juniper this year for one cutting area around Payson.

The Apache-Sitgreaves, Coconino, Kaibab and Prescott national forests will also be selling tags over the counter.  Each forest should be contacted directly for further information about their forest over-the-counter tag sales.  The following are their contact telephone numbers:

• Apache-Sitgreaves NF:  928-333-4301
• Coconino NF:  928-527-3600
• Kaibab NF: 928-635-5600 (Williams Ranger District)
• Prescott NF:  928-443-8000

“Some families have a favorite cutting area and have returned there year after year,” Luhrsen observes.  “For some customers, this very nostalgic tradition goes way, way back.  I urge all who are interested to act quickly in purchasing a tag for their preferred cutting location.” 

“When the tags are gone, they’re gone,” cautioned Luhrsen.

General rules:

• Only one tree-cutting tag per household – for individual use only.
• This program is not available for churches, schools, companies, or other organizations.
• Trees must be cut in designated cutting-area only.
• Trees may be cut between November 21 and December 24.
• Instructions will be provided in each tag information package and should be carefully read – and followed.
• There are no refunds once a tag has been purchased.

Note: There are now 17 Big 5 Sporting Good locations where Christmas tree-cutting tags will be available for purchase beginning Saturday, October 10:

Big 5 Sporting Goods vendor locations for Christmas tree-cutting tags:

• Avondale (Goodyear):
  (623) 535-0384 - 1623 North Dysart Road, Avondale AZ 85323
• Bullhead City:
  (928) 763-0608 - 1835 Highway 95, Bullhead AZ 86439
• Chandler:
  (480) 821-9226 - 2050 North Arizona Avenue, Chandler AZ 85225
• Flagstaff:
  (928) 214-0590 - 2775 Woodlands Village Blvd. Flagstaff AZ 86001
• Glendale:
  (602) 548-5794 - 5490 West Bell Road, Suite A, Glendale AZ 85308
• Kingman:
  (928) 692-4944 - 3320 North Stockton Hill Road, Bldg. F, Kingman, AZ 86401
• Mesa:
  (480) 854-1889 - 2930 North Power Rd, Mesa, AZ 85215
• Mesa (Gilbert):
  (480) 507-0137 - 1244 South Gilbert Road, Suite 101, Mesa AZ 85204
• Phoenix (Bell Rd):
  (602) 863-1309 - 1919 West Bell Road, Phoenix AZ 85023
• Phoenix (East):
  (602) 955-9601 - 3560 East Thomas Road, Phoenix AZ 85018
• Phoenix (Paradise Valley):
  (602) 953-0305 - 4623 East Cactus Road, Phoenix AZ 85032
• Phoenix (West):
  (623)848-4800 - 7710 West Thomas Road, Phoenix AZ 85033
• Prescott:
  (928) 759-0013 - 6106 Highway 69, Prescott Valley, AZ 86314
• Show Low
  (928) 537-5551 - 4441 South White Mountain Road Suite #101, Show Low AZ 85901
• South Scottsdale:
  (480) 941-4387 - 3330 Hayden Road, Scottsdale AZ 85251
• Tucson (Speedway):
  (520) 296-3326 - 5695 East Speedway Blvd. Tucson AZ 85712
• Yuma:
  (928) 726-2884 - 505 Catalina Dr., Yuma, AZ 85364
  

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