Families can again cut Christmas trees in Stanislaus forest. Where and how tall?
Once again, the Stanislaus National Forest invites families to cut their own Christmas trees.
They can purchase the $12.50 permits online and head to the woods beginning Nov. 28. Each permit allows two trees.
The forest’s lower elevations are about a 90-minute drive up Highway 108 from Modesto. Highways 4 and 120 also go there .
Trees must be in designated areas and no more than 20 feet tall. The cutting helps reduce the low-lying fuel for summer wildfires, which can wipe out entire timber stands.
Other rules:
- Take only pines, firs or cedars, not oaks or other hardwoods.
- Use a hand saw, not a chain saw.
- Do not cut trunks more than 6 inches in diameter at the base.
- Choose a tree that’s close to others, rather than isolated. This will help the remaining trees thrive.
- Do not cut on private timberland amid the national forest, nor in Yosemite National Park or Calaveras Big Trees State Park.
- Avoid campgrounds and wilderness areas within the Stanislaus.
- Print out the permit beforehand and display it on the vehicle dashboard.
The permits can be ordered at www.recreation.gov. The cost is $10 for the permit itself, plus a $2.50 processing fee. The website also has detailed maps of the places open to cutting.
The permits are only $2.50 for families with fourth-graders who obtain Every Kid Outdoors passes. It is a joint program of several federal agencies that manage land and resources.
Visitors should bring extra clothing and food in case their vehicles get stuck in mud or snow. Most of the forest remains open in late fall, but upper elevations will close as the snowpack builds.
Many national forests have long had Christmas tree permits, but the Stanislaus did not join in until 2022. The idea had raised concerns about damage to the land and competition with private tree farms. They were outweighed by the benefits from the practice, as explained in a news release Monday:
“Local forest health experts identify areas that benefit from thinning trees that tend to be the perfect size for Christmas trees. Removing these trees in designated areas helps other trees grow larger and can open areas that provide forage for wildlife.”
Forest Supervisor Jason Kuiken cited another reason in a 2022 news release: “There’s a certain magic in families coming together to wander into the forest to find that special tree.”
