Christmas tree permits are now available in Gallatin County.

Permits for cutting your own tree, maps, road access updates and tree species identification guides are available at all Gallatin Forest Ranger District offices. Tree permits are also available from some area vendors. In Livingston, the Livingston Ace Hardware is offering permits and in Gardiner, the North Entrance Food Farm has permits for sale. In the Bozeman and Belgrade areas you can pick up a permit from Owenhouse Ace Hardware (in the bicycle shop), Murdoch's Ranch and Home Supply, Lee & Dad's Grocery and the Gateway Exxon.

The cost of a tree permit is $5 with a limit of three permits per household.

A tree permit can also be purchased for gathering personal-use boughs. People can cut anywhere on the Gallatin National Forest except at administrative sites, in campgrounds, at trailheads, in wilderness areas, or in plantations. People must also stay at least 50 feet away from live streams, and 100 feet away from roads.

The Forest asks people to follow some general guidelines when cutting your tree - ensure you are on National Forest System land when cutting your tree and limit your selection to trees less than 12 feet tall; cut your tree as close to the ground as possible, a remaining stump height of six inches is ideal; after cutting your tree, attach your tree permit to a lower limb near the trunk for transporting home.