Holiday Happenings

Christmas tree permits go on sale soon

Posted: Nov 8, 2012 6:53 PM by KBZK Media Center

With the approach of Thanksgiving, the season for harvesting a Christmas tree is right around the corner. Christmas tree permits go on sale beginning Tuesday November 13 on both the Custer and Gallatin National Forests. Christmas tree permits will be available for purchase at all local ranger district offices including: Big Timber, Livingston, Gardiner, Bozeman, and West Yellowstone on the Gallatin National Forest and Ashland, Red Lodge, Billings and Camp Crook, SD on the Custer National Forest.
"Cutting a Christmas tree around Thanksgiving or leading into December is a popular and long-standing family tradition for many," said Mariah Leuschen Public Affairs Specialist for the Custer and Gallatin National Forests. "It's a great way to spend time outdoors with those close to you and possibly start a new tradition."
Permits are $5.00 each with a limit of three permits per family. Permits can be purchased at Forest Service offices during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additionally, the Beartooth Ranger District will be open to sell tags on the four Saturdays immediately following Thanksgiving starting with November 24 and continuing on December 1, 8 and 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Maps, forest road access updates and tree species identification guides are available at all offices.
On the Gallatin National Forest, permits are also available at the following local businesses:
· Livingston - Livingston Ace Hardware
· Bozeman - Owenhouse Ace Hardware (downtown bicycle shop and W. Main St. locations),
Murdoch's Ranch and Home Supply and Wholesale Sports
· Belgrade - Lee and Dad's IGA and Belgrade True Value
· Big Sky - Big Sky Conoco
· West Yellowstone - Corner Conoco

Those with a permit may cut a Christmas tree anywhere on the Custer or 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 the following:
· No tree cutting is allowed within 100 feet of any stream, lake, or wetland.
· 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.

For more information, please contact any Custer or Gallatin National Forest office or online at www.fs.usda.gov/custer and www.fs.usda.gov/gallatin .
Custer National Forest: Gallatin National Forest:
Ashland Ranger District: (406) 784-2344 Bozeman Ranger District: 406-522-2520
Beartooth Ranger District: (406) 446-2103 Yellowstone R.D. Livingston: 406-222-1892
Sioux Ranger District: (605) 797-4432 Yellowstone R.D. Big Timber: 406-932-5155
Supervisor's Office: 406-255-1400 Hebgen Lake R.D. W. Yellowstone: 406-823-6961
Gardiner Ranger District: 406-848-7375
Supervisor's Office: 406-587-6701