Christmas Tree Permits

Obtaining a Permit

The holiday season is often time for families and friends to head to the woods to play in the snow and to cut the traditional family Christmas Tree. Lifelong memories are built during these special times and the Umatilla National Forest is happy to help with any information gathering you'll need to make this trip a safe and enjoyable one. Download the 2024 Christmas Tree Cutting Guide!

 

Christmas Tree Permits can be purchased seasonally at Recreation.gov!

Where can I buy a Christmas Tree Permit? 

A Christmas Tree Permit can be purchased in person for $5.00. We ask that you limit permits to one per household but you can purchase for neighbors, family and friends. Permits will go on sale November 15 and can be purchased at any Umatilla National Forest Office or at several local businesses. Those businesses include:

Pendleton, OR D&B Supply BiMart	Heppner, OR Heppner Mobil	Ukiah, OR Rhode's Supply
Hermiston, OR Smitty's Outpost Ace Hardware	Tollgate, OR Tollgate Crossing Store	Dayton, WA The General Store
Kennewick, WA Sportsman's Warehouse	Boardman, OR Ace Hardware	Athena, OR Athena Convenience
Pilot Rock, OR J&D's Food Mart	Clarkston, WA Schurman's True Value Hells Canyon NRA Office	Pomeroy, WA Pomeroy Food Center
Walla Walla, WA Sportsman's Warehouse	Milton-Freewater, OR Zip Zone II	Elgin, OR Elgin Food Town

Where Can You Cut A Christmas Tree?

The Christmas Tree Cutting Program on the Umatilla National Forest remains simple and easy to follow. The Christmas tree permit is valid on any Umatilla National Forest Ranger District land when accompanied by this brochure. Please follow these few simple rules:

• Clean up any trimmings or limbs.
• Leave stumps no higher than 10 inches. It is illegal to “top” a tree.
• Cut off any green limbs left on the stump (these can be used for decorating greens).
• The maximum height of tree to be cut is 14 feet tall.
• Do not cut in active timber sales or areas that have been planted with new trees.
• Do not cut on private land, in wilderness areas, designated campgrounds, 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 during logging operations. Please abide by these closures.

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

 

 

 

Get your free Christmas Tree permit!  The Every Kid Outdoors program grants free access to fourth graders and family members to over 2,000 federal lands and waters for exploration and a free Christmas Tree permit. For more information on how to obtain your voucher visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/learn/kids/everykid

 

Print a free coloring sheet of a Chistmas ornament this holiday season!