Forest Product Permits

A permit is required for each tree cut and removed from National Forest land. You may obtain a permit from any Ottawa National Forest office for $5. Christmas Tree Permits can also be purchased on Recreation.gov.

Ottawa National Forest Firewood permits provide for non-commercial firewood gathering. The permits cost $20 and are good for personal-use firewood gathering on the Forest for one year after the date of purchase -- or when the purchased cords have been gathered, whichever comes first. 

Ways to purchase a firewood permit:

Order Online

Purchase in-person at any Ottawa National Forest District Office or the Visitor Center, its always best to call ahead.

Office Information

Please have the following information on hand to obtain your permit: 

• Full name
• Phone Number
• Driver’s license or other identification number and expiration date
• Address
• License plate number of vehicle to be used to collect the firewood

Only standing dead and down trees may be gathered for firewood. Further guidelines for cutting will be provided with the permit. This authority applies only to non-commercial firewood cutting on Ottawa National Forest system lands.

More about Firewood ePermits:

• ePermits cost the same online as they do in-person at any district office (there is no credit card processing fees for ePermits)
• ePermits must be printed to be valid, digital copies are not allowed at this time on any National Forest
• When buying an ePermit, the user is required to review the rules of firewood collection – this should answer most permit questions
• Further guidelines for collection will be provided with the permit in the “General Conditions” and “Other Conditions” sections of the permit rules & agreement section.

Where:

• Firewood may be collected from anywhere on the Ottawa National Forest, except areas identified as excluded on the permit or on the Ottawa National Forest website.

What: 

• A minimum of 4 CCF and a maximum of 12 CCF may be purchased per individual within a calendar year. Four CCF is approximately 5  full cords.
  • CCF stands for 100 cubic feet.  One cord is a stacked pile measuring 128 cubic feet (4 ft high x 4 ft wide x 8 ft long).
• Only downed trees may be harvested, except standing dead trees may be cut within 100 feet of open Forest Service roads, if they are less than 15-inches in diameter at breast height. No live trees may be cut.

How:

• The use of tractors, rubber-tired skidders, and similar vehicles is not allowed. On timber sales where the timber sale purchaser gives permission in writing, these vehicles may be allowed.
• No hauling of firewood products where Forest Service Road weight restrictions are in effect or as a road use is otherwise restricted on the Ottawa Motorized Vehicle Use Map.
• No firewood products cut under this permit can be longer than 6 feet in length.

ePermits must be printed to be valid

Wondering about collecting maple sap on the Ottawa National Forest? There are some things you need to know:

• Call one of our offices ahead of time so we can get the process ready for you. Offices issuing permits this year are Bessemer, Watersmeet, and Kenton.
• You need to provide a map of the area and the township/range/section of where you will be tapping. This is used in the approval process.
• Sometimes, depending on schedules, it can take a day or two for approval before you obtain a permit.
• Once you are done tapping, do not fill in the holes or spray them with anything.  Leave the tree to heal naturally.
• Tap permits are $2.00 per tap with a minimum of $20 per permit. If it is for commercial purposes, you need additional permitting.

Under a personal use permit you cannot leave equipment in the field. This means you can have your tap and bucket on the tree but cannot leave out other equipment.

Table - Guideline for Number of Taps Per Tree (where spile = 7/16 inch)

You may be able to harvest other forest products with a permit. For more information, please contact your local Forest Service office.