Shasta-Trinity National Forest

Christmas Tree Permits

O Christmas Tree - Cutting your own can become a fun family tradition! Happy holidays from all of us at the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Cutting a Christmas tree in a national forest has become a popular holiday tradition for many people in northern California. It is a great opportunity for you to begin to celebrate your own holiday tradition. On this page, you will find useful information about obtaining a permit, searching for that perfect tree and tips for caring for your tree once you get it home. Enjoy your national forest this season! Best wishes for a most enjoyable and safe holiday. Sharon Heywood Forest Supervisor Shasta-Trinity National Forest   Access our "Christmas Trees from the National Forest" Podcast

Happy Holidays!

The holiday season is often time for families and friends to head to the woods to play in the snow and to cut the traditional family Christmas Tree. Lifelong memories are built during these special times and the Shasta-Trinity National Forest is happy to help with any information you'll need to make this trip a safe and enjoyable one.

A Christmas Tree Permit can be purchased for $10 at any of the Forest Service offices or Ranger Stations listed below or by printing and mailing in the Christmas Tree Tag Application form⁺. There is only one permit per household, but you can purchase up to five permits for neighbors, family and friends if you provide their names and addresses for their respective permits. Permits are on sale beginning November 3.

Office Locations and Hours

In addition to their regular office hours of 8am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday, some offices will be open Saturdays and/or Sundays during the month of December.

Permits can be purchased at the following locations:

When you buy a permit, you will receive a tree tag, a map and a tree-cutting guide. The tree-cutting guide is filled with information on how to use your permit, regulations to follow and helpful hints on how to care for your tree once it's cut. For more specific information, contact us by telephoning or writing at any Shasta-Trinity National Forest Office.

Things you should know before you go

• Christmas Tree Permits sell for $10 each. Only one permit per household.
• Permits can be purchased at any Shasta-Trinity National Forest Office.
• Christmas Tree Permits can be used on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest only if accompanied by a tree-cutting guide, and printed information. These are considered legal documents, which go with your permit.

How do I get a tree and what are the rules?

The Christmas Tree Cutting Program on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest remains simple and easy to follow. Please follow these few simple rules:

• Obtain a permit and map from a local Forest Service office. This permit is good for cutting trees within SHASTA-TRINITY NATIONAL FOREST boundaries only. See addresses and phone numbers above for forest contact information.
• The permit must be signed by the person whose name is on the permit before the tree can be cut.
• There is a limit of one permit per household; however, one person may purchase a maximum of five permits. A separate name and address must be provided for each permit.
• Cutting or removing any tree with a main stem exceeding 6 inches in diameter at ground level is prohibited.
• Cutting any tree in or within 100 feet of any administrative or developed site is prohibited, i.e.: campground, picnicking or day use areas, etc.
• Collecting, taking, possessing or transporting any part of a tree without a valid permit is a federal offense, and violators will be prosecuted.
• Cutting any tree is prohibited within 100 feet of the outer edge of designated roads.
• If you will be transporting more than five trees on one vehicle, you will need a transportation permit from the County Sheriff’s office for the area where you wish to cut your tree.
• When cutting in the Weaverville area, please do not cut the Giant Sequoia trees located at Slate Creek, Tannery Gulch Campground, Mule Creek Station and on Guy Covington Road. These trees were planted for roadside beautification in the early 1960's.

How to use your permit

• Chose a tree of your liking, cut tree, following rules and regulations printed on your permit.
• Wrap the permit around the tree trunk and secure ends together by peeling off the adhesive on back, and pressing each end tightly.
• Keep the permit on the tree while in transit.
• You will need to cut your permit off the tree, once you are no longer in transit.

  Be prepared for Winter Weather!

• Dress appropriately in warm socks, boots, coats, hats and gloves.
• Bring plenty of snacks and water.
• Have supplies available to build a fire if necessary and make sure you have a campfire permit.
• Make sure your vehicle is equipped for winter travel.
• Tell someone where you're going and when you expect to be home.

Helpful Hints. . .

• Carry your trees carefully out of the woods. Dragging the tree will rub off needles and bark.
• If the tree is too big to transport inside of your vehicle, wrap it in canvas to prevent wind damage.
• Store your tree in an area protected from the wind, such as the north or east side of your house or under a shaded tree.

Tips for helping your tree stay moist longer

When you get home, re-cut the end of the tree by 1 inch and let it stand in a bucket of 'Fire Minimizing Life Extending Formula' (recipe below) until you're ready to bring it indoors. Fill the tree stand reservoir twice a day (morning and evening) with the remaining mixture.

'Fire Minimizing Life Extending Formula'

• 2 gals. of hot water
• 2 cups corn syrup
• 2 oz. liquid bleach
• 2 pinches epsom salts
• 1/2 tsp. borax
• 1 tsp. chelated iron (available at garden shops)

How does this 'fire minimizing' mixture work

The corn syrup provides sugar, which allows the tree to soak up a lot more water than it normally would. Without sugar, only a small amount of water is absorbed by the branches and needles. You can expect the tree to soak up 1-1/2 gallons of the recipe during the 10 to 14 day period your tree is up, which is about 800 percent more water than it would have absorbed growing in the forest.

The boron (in the borax) makes the water and sugar move to every needle of your tree. The epsom salts and chelated iron provide magnesium sulfate which helps chlorophyll production, keeping your needles green. Bleach stops mold from forming when water and sugar stand too long in the tree holder.

What about after Christmas?

 There are many local non-profit groups, boy scouts, etc. that collect Christmas trees for a nominal fee or donation. Call your local Chamber of Commerce, City of Redding Waste Management, or watch your area newspaper for more details.

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US Forest Service - Shasta-Trinity National Forest
Last Modified:  Thursday, 12 November 2009 at 13:12:46 EST