Christmas Tree Tags
Cutting your own Christmas tree can be a festive outing to begin the holiday season. The ritual of hiking through the woods with your family and choosing your personal tree from among the millions of spruce, fir, and pine can greatly enrich a holiday season. Please follow the rules below while choosing your Christmas tree. See your permit for additional rules.
Permitting Regulations and Harvesting Guidelines
A permit to cut one Christmas tree on Forest Service land may be purchased online at Recreation.gov for $5.00 plus handling fee, or by calling a district office and arranging to pick up the permit. Some restrictions are as follows:
- Balsam fir are preferred for harvest, white pine and cedar are not allowed.
- Make sure you are on National Forest land, but not within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Maps can be viewed or purchased at Forest Service offices.
- Choose cutting areas away from plantations, developed recreation or administration sites, and Research Natural Areas.
- Walk well off the roadside to select your tree.
- Select a tree the correct size for your home. Do not cut the top off of a taller tree. The maximum stump height is 12 inches.
- There is a two tag limit for each household per year.
Where to Get Tree Tags
Recreation.gov
Not able to visit an office prior to coming up to cut your tree? Get a Tree Tag on-line at Recreation.gov.
Any of Our Offices
Visit any of our offices during regular office hours to pick up a tree tag.
Every Kid Outdoors Program
A Free Tree for Fourth Graders in the Every Kid Outdoors Program!
The Every Kid Outdoors program is an initiative to get more fourth graders and their families into our National Forests and Parks. Fourth grade students can go to the Every Kid Outdoors website and get a voucher good for a special Fourth Grade Pass which can be picked up at any national forest or park office.
Remember, adults should supervise any Christmas tree selection and harvesting.