Permits to cut Christmas trees available soon for Tahoe region. Here’s where and when

The time to fell your own Christmas tree in the Sierra Nevada is almost here.

If you and your family are planning to take a trek east this year, you’ll need to get your hands on a permit from the U.S. Forest Service, which will only be sold in person this season.

The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit will be selling Christmas tree permits beginning Nov. 14. Permits will be sold in person at the South Lake Tahoe supervisors office at 35 College Drive on a first-come, first-served basis, the Forest Service announced.

Each permit will be sold for $10 and must be used by the person who purchased the ticket. Only one permit per family is allowed. Permits will be valid until Dec. 31 to accommodate military families and those who may need to celebrate a delayed Christmas.

The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

This year, the rangers will offer a free permit to any fourth-grader who presents a valid Every Kid Outdoors pass.

Where can you cut a tree?

When purchasing a permit you’ll be given a map with the designated tree-cutting areas. They are:

• Fountain Place Road (1201) at the end of Oneidas Street off Pioneer Trail
• Lower Barker Pass Road in Blackwood Canyon (15N38) off SR 89
• Baldwin Beach Road (1305) off SR 89

Selecting a tree

You’ll have the option to take home a pine, fir or cedar tree from the designated cutting areas.

• Families must keep vehicles on Forest Service roads — off-roading isn’t allowed.
• When selecting a tree it must be less than 6 inches in diameter at the base and must be within 10 feet of another green tree.
• The maximum tree height is 20 feet.
• Be sure to leave a stump that is less than 6 inches or less above the ground.
• Before you leave, attach the permit tag to your tree.

More information is available on the Forest Service’s website.

Shasta Trinity National Forest permits

Permits for trees in Shasta Trinity National Forest are available online at recreation.gov/tree-permits/stnf. They can also be picked up any Shasta-Trinity Forest Service Office, at the McCloud Outdoor Store and at three locations in Mount Shasta: Ramshaw’s Ace Hardware, Solano’s Do It Best Hardware or the Fifth Season.

This story was originally published October 27, 2022 at 11:52 AM.