A Utah State University photo of a child dragging a Christmas tree.
LOGAN – It’s that time of year when many families want to head up to the forest and have the experience of cutting down their own Christmas Tree.
The Logan Ranger District is selling Christmas Tree Permits and they are available online only at www.recreation.gov. When there, search “Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Christmas Tree Permit.” The cost is $22.50 this year. Additional information and area-cutting maps can also be found online.
There is a limit of one permit per household. People need to buy permits in the area they want to cut their tree.
Harvesting Christmas trees is not permitted in heritage locations such as the Tony Grove historical nursery area or Old Ephraim’s grave. Also, Christmas trees are not permitted to be harvested in research areas such as the T.W. Daniels Experimental Forest and the seasonal house area from First Dam to Woodcamp along highway 89 in Logan Canyon.
Area maps can be printed when applications are made for the Logan Ranger District. Applicants must specify where they want to harvest their tree. There only four locations where Christmas trees can be harvested on the four ranger districts in Northern Utah.
Permit holders are asked to print out their permits because there is likely no cell service where they are allowed to cut trees. When the Forest Service representatives check for permits having them on a cell phone will not be sufficient.
A district representative said last weekend was not too busy with people cutting down Christmas Trees, but this weekend should be a little bit busier. After Thanksgiving is when it really gets crazy.
The Logan Ranger District has closed the mid- and upper-elevation gates for this weekend.
These gates include High Creek (second gate), Green Canyon (second gate), Cowley Canyon, Marie Springs, Temple Fork (both gates), West Hodges and Herd Hollow.
In Southern Idaho, Caribou/Targhee National Forest permits can also be purchased online through the Caribou/ Targhee National Forest Ranger District. Those Permits are also available to purchase online only at www.recreation.gov.
The National Forest Service would like to remind people cutting a Christmas tree this time of year the weather can unpredictable so always be prepared for the worst winter conditions. For many Utahns cutting a Christmas tree is a family tradition. Stay on designated roads and trails.
The Boy Scout motto “Be Prepared” should be followed when hunting trees in the forest. Watch out for slick, snow-packed roads and have chains, a 4-wheel drive vehicle, or a snow machine available.
Let a responsible person know where you are planning to go and the approximate time you will return.
Have a charged cell phone handy, bring additional warm clothing, gloves, boots, a container of hot liquid, water, and a meal or snack. For additional safety carry a flashlight, chains, shovel, first-aid kit, matches, a hatchet, ax or handsaw, and rope to secure the tree.
Trees must always be cut close to the ground, leaving the stump no higher than 6 inches. Tree topping is not allowed, and neither is cutting trees within 200 feet of riparian areas or lakes and streams. Trees should also not be cut near roads, campgrounds, picnic areas, administrative sites, summer home areas, or within designated closed areas shown on tree cutting maps.