You can cut Christmas trees for $2.50 in Stanislaus National Forest. How to get a permit

“Lifelong memories are built” when you cut down your own Christmas tree, say recreation officials at Stanislaus National Forest, where Christmas tree permits will be available starting Thursday.

The permits are offered to the public for free (though there is a small processing fee) to help reduce hazardous fuel ladders that have built up over years of fire suppression, according to the forest’s permit page on Recreation.gov, an online reservation system.

“Begin the holiday season with an outing to cut the family tree,” the site says.

Here’s how you can get a permit, how many trees you can cut and where cutting is permitted:

How to get a Christmas tree permit

This is the second year Stanislaus National Forest has allowed the public to cut Christmas trees. Proposals before 2022 for the Stanislaus forest ran into opposition from private Christmas tree farms and people concerned about damage to the land, according to previous Modesto Bee reporting.

Removal of small trees from the forest will help create a healthier environment over time, according to the government website.

A permit must be purchased and in your possession when cutting and transporting trees. Although the permit is free, the website charges a $2.50 processing fee.

There is a limit of two trees per household. Permits can be reserved beginning Thursday at 7 a.m. on the website, and trees can be cut from Dec. 1 through Dec. 31.

The national land is primarily in eastern Tuolomne County, but extends to parts of Mariposa, Calaveras and Alpine.

Where to cut trees in Stanislaus National Forest

A portion of the forest is available to cut Christmas trees, but not all of it. A map shows the Mokelumne Wilderness, Carson-Iceburg Wilderness and Emigrant Wilderness, among other areas, are off-limits.

Trees must be no more than 20 feet tall, according to the site. Stumps cannot be no more than 12 inches high and six inches in diameter.

Other rules include:

• Cutting isolated trees growing in the open is not allowed
• The tree must be pine, fir or cedar
• The whole tree must be taken
• Remove any snow on the ground to make accurate measurements

This story was originally published November 8, 2023 at 10:56 AM.

Dominique Williams

The Modesto Bee

209-253-9007

Dominique Williams writes about new business, restaurant and retail developments for The Modesto Bee. She is a Ripon native and a graduate of Sacramento State.