Umatilla National Forest

News Release
Umatilla National Forest
2517 SW Hailey Avenue
Pendleton, OR 97801
visit us at www.fs.fed.us/r6/uma/

News Contact: Joani Bosworth (541) 278-3722
November 17, 2009

CHRISTMAS TREE PERMITS

Christmas tree permits will be available at all offices of the Umatilla National Forest and will be available at several local businesses beginning next week. Permits are valid on Federal Forest Service lands only and do not authorize tree cutting on private, State or other federally managed lands.

Permits can be purchased for $5.00 each and are limited to one per household. Christmas tree permits and forest maps are available during regular office hours, Monday through Friday, at the Supervisor's Office in Pendleton, Oregon, and at the four Ranger District offices in Ukiah and Heppner, Oregon; and Walla Walla and Pomeroy, Washington.

Local businesses will be set up to sell permits by the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. This year, Christmas tree permits will not be available for purchase in the Tollgate area. People wishing to cut Christmas trees in the Tollgate area will need to purchase their permit in town before heading up the mountain.

Local businesses selling Christmas tree permits include:

OREGON
Dave’s 12th St. Chevron, Pendleton
Southgate Mini-Market, Pendleton
Ace Hardware, Hermiston
Mentzer and Elliott, Pilot Rock
PGG, Athena
Rhode's Supply, Ukiah
Granny's Store, Ukiah
Heppner Shell, Heppner
MCGG – Green Feed, Heppner
PGG, Milton-Freewater
Lazy Wolf Resort, Spray

WASHINGTON
Columbia Grain and Feed, Pasco
Farmer’s Exchange, Kennewick
Conoco General Store, Dayton
The Last Resort, Pomeroy
Pomeroy Foods, Pomeroy
PF Express, Pomeroy
Schurman's True Value, Clarkston
Hells Canyon NRA Office, Clarkston
:

Regulations for cutting Christmas Trees on the Umatilla National Forest:

• Christmas Tree Permits sell for $5.00 each. We request you purchase only one permit per household.
• Permits can be purchased at any Umatilla National Forest Office or at many local area vendors.
• Wrap the permit around the tree trunk, between limbs, and snap or connect ends together.
• Keep the permit on the tree while in transit.
• Cut your tree at least 50 feet away from the road.
• Clean up any trimmings or limbs and leave stumps no higher than 10 inches. It is illegal to “top” a tree.
• Cut off any green limbs left on the stump (can be used for greens).
• Maximum height of tree to be cut is 14 feet tall.
• Do not cut on private land, in wilderness areas, designated campgrounds, active timber sales or existing tree plantations.
• Do not cut trees within 200 feet of Bluewood or Spout Springs Ski Areas, summer home sites, Tollgate Work Center, or Forest Service Guard Stations.
• Christmas tree cutting in the Tollgate Area on the Walla Walla Ranger District can be challenging after December 1, when most Forest roads close for the winter. After Dec. 1, snowmobiling or snowshoeing will be your only access onto most roads off Hwy 204.
• Christmas tree cutting on the Pomeroy Ranger District is prohibited on Park and Cook Ridges, and in the Lick Creek area, including Sheep Creek, Cabin, Capehorn and Mud Springs ridges. You may encounter road closures in the School Fire area during logging operations. Please abide by these closures.

Be Safe, Be Prepared for Winter Weather!

• Dress appropriately in warm socks, boots, coats, hats & gloves
• Bring plenty of snacks and water
• Have supplies available to build a fire if necessary
• 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 in the trunk of your vehicle, wrap it in canvas to prevent wind damage.
• Once home, cut the bottom of the trunk off and place the freshly cut trunk in a bucket of water. Replenish
  water frequently.
• 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.

USDA Forest Service - Umatilla National Forest
Last Modified:  Tuesday, 17-Nov-2009 16:45:58 EST