Permits

Click For Information On Passes   

Permits are required to use National Forests lands when there is commercial gain, or when there is an impact on Forest resources (Outfitter Guide Information).  Information about permits for commercial filming, outfitting and guiding, utilities, mushroom harvesting, etc. can be found at the USDA Forest Service website at www.fs.fed.us/passespermits.

Permits for firewood gathering and Christmas tree harvesting on the Green Mountain National Forest can be purchased at the Supervisor’s Office in Rutland or one of our District Offices in Middlebury, Rochester, and Manchester. 

Firewood permit issued:

• For a minimum charge of $20 (2 cords) at $10 per cord.
• For a maximum volume of 10 cords.
• For dead and down trees only.  Standing dead trees may not be cut without permission of a Forest Officer.
• No motorized vehicles are allowed off existing roads and parking shall not block traffic.
• Subject to operational closures due to weather, ground, and road conditions.
• Permit must be in the permittee’s possession while harvesting and transporting products.
• Permittee shall remove all trash and litter resulting from the permittee’s activities, which include removing all woody debris, not taken as firewood, from road surfaces, ditches, and culvert openings where harvesting activities took place.
• Permit is not valid in Timber Sale areas, designated recreation areas, or wilderness areas.
• Permittee cannot cut live trees.
• Permit is non-transferable.
• Permit sale is final and not subject to refund.

Christmas tree permit issued:

• Permit cost $5 and is non-refundable.
• Only 1 permit issued per household per year.
• Permit must be attached to the tree before transporting it from the site where it was cut.
• Trees over 20 feet tall are not covered by the permit.
• The tree must be cut at a point no higher than 6 inches off the ground.
• Christmas trees are for personal use only and may not be cut for resale.
• Permit is not valid in wilderness areas, Timber Sale areas, developed campgrounds, picnic and day use areas, interpretive trails, or within 25 feet of any Forest Service or publicly-maintained road.