EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit announced in September they will be pausing their Christmas Tree permit program for several years except for those in 4th grade. For others, there are options for those seeking the experience to cut down their tree for the holidays.
Many families have a long tradition of searching for and cutting their own Christmas Tree. Whether you have been doing this for years or are looking to start a new holiday tradition with your family, visitors will have two opportunities to purchase a Christmas tree permit this season for the Eldorado National Forest.
– ONLINE: Visitors can purchase a permit online through Recreation.gov on Saturday, October 26th at 7 a.m.
– IN-PERSON: A limited number of permits will be available on Saturday, November 2 at 8 a.m., for visitors who walk in at the Placerville, Georgetown, and Amador Ranger District offices.
These $10 permits are extremely popular and are expected to sell out quickly on both dates. The details about purchasing a permit, appropriate cutting areas, dates, maps, and the types of trees that may be cut can be found at https://www.recreation.gov/tree-permits/cce82478-ebcf-11ea-b83f-6e0e43d29f74.
For information on the 4th-grade program, Every Kid Outdoors, visit HERE.
“Any day you can be out enjoying your national forest is a great day,” said Forest Supervisor Amy Reid. “Being able to create lifelong memories with your family and connect with nature is a bonus.”
Did you know harvesting a Christmas tree (and creating a fun tradition while doing so) is one small way you can contribute to forest health? Overgrown areas of the forest benefit over time from thinning the small trees that tend to be the perfect size for Christmas trees. More space helps other trees grow larger and opens areas that provide food for wildlife.
Christmas Tree Cutting Area maps are available online showing the permissible areas of the forest where visitors can find and cut their special tree. Several wildfire areas are excluded from Christmas Tree cutting including this year’s Crozier Fire Area, Mosquito Fire Area, and the Caldor Fire Area, including national forest lands along Mormon Emigrant Trail, Silver Fork Road, and North-South Road. Portions of the King Fire area are also closed to give seedlings a chance to grow and allow forests to reestablish.
Other area forests that will have permits include Humboldt-Toiyabe and Tahoe National Forest. For details, visit HERE.