Advent calendar counts down – still time to cut & decorate Christmas trees!
from Custer Gallatin National Forest
Christmas tree permits are still available at all area Ranger District offices and numerous local businesses. Forest Service offices in Bozeman, Livingston, Gardiner, West Yellowstone and Red Lodge, among others, have permits available. Regular hours are 8am–4:30pm, Monday through Friday. Permits are $5 each, with a limit of three per household. Cash, check, debit and credit cards are accepted.
“Heading out for your Christmas tree is a great family experience,” said Mariah Leuschen-Lonergan, Public Affairs Specialist for Custer Gallatin. “I remember doing it when I was a kid and now we’re taking our toddler out.”
This year, as part of Every Kid Outdoors, 4th graders across the Nation will get a free Christmas Tree permit. First, log onto everykidoutdoors.gov and follow the quick steps to confirm you are a 4th grader, then bring your pass to your local Christmas tree vendor and grab a free permit to enjoy with your family.
Every Kid Outdoors is a partnership of federal agencies offering free access to hundreds of parks, lands and waters for an entire year. See America’s natural wonders and historic sites for free as a 4th grader. Learn more on the program website.
Permits are also available for purchase from these community businesses:
– Belgrade: Town & Country and Ace Hardware
– Bozeman: Owenhouse Ace Hardware (downtown and Huffine locations), Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply
– Four Corners: Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply
– Big Sky: Big Sky Conoco and Ace Hardware
– West Yellowstone: Cenex Corner Store
– Livingston: Ace Hardware
– Gardiner: Gardiner Market
Those with a permit may cut a Christmas tree anywhere on the Custer Gallatin National Forest except in campgrounds, trailheads, designated wilderness areas, developed recreation sites, posted timber sale units, recently planted locations and administrative sites. Permits are also valid for any national forest in the Northern Region, which includes all of Montana, northern Idaho and portions of North and South Dakota.
General guidelines for cutting a tree include:
– No tree-cutting is allowed within 100 feet of any stream, lake, main road or recreation site
– Only trees 12 feet tall or less may be cut
– Cut your tree as close to the ground as possible and below the lowest live limb; a remaining stump height of 6 inches or less is ideal
– After cutting your tree, attach the purchased permit to a lower limb near the trunk for transporting home
– “Topping” trees, or cutting the top off trees, deforms any future growth and leaves a visual eyesore; take the entire tree or choose another one
– Trees help protect watersheds, provide habitat for wildlife, and contribute to beautiful scenery; keep these values in mind when selecting a tree
A permit can also be purchased for gathering personal-use boughs. Permits, maps, forest road access updates and tree species identification guides are available at each ranger district office. When preparing for the day, dress in layers for changing weather conditions, grab a snack and water, always let another know where you are headed and enjoy spending time outdoors with friends and family.
For more information, please contact any Custer Gallatin National Forest office. For general forest information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/custergallatin. •
