Online Christmas Tree Permits Available for Bighorn National Forest
Written by Andrew-Rossi on October 27, 2020
Some people say it’s too early to decorate for Christmas – but it’s not too early to plan for it, especially if your plan involves a visit to a national forest.
Christmas tree permits for Bighorn National Forest are now available for purchase online. Forest officials opened the permit period yesterday, Oct. 26, on the Bureau of Land Management’s recreation hub, recreation.gov.
Andrew Johnson, Forest Supervisor, says this is a significant and important change for everyone hoping to add an authentic Wyoming pine tree to their Christmas décor. The online platform for permit purchases will give everyone more options. “This will make it easier for families to enjoy the age-old tradition of harvesting a Christmas tree,” he said.
There are several important things to remember should you choose Bighorn National Forest as the provider of your Christmas tree:
- Bighorn Christmas tree permits are valid only for trees on land managed by the Bighorn National Forest.
- A maximum of five permits is allowed per individual. This means five trees at $8 per tree
- Each permit is good for one tree up to 10 feet tall, with a 6-inch maximum stump height
- For trees greater than 10 feet tall, an additional permit is required.
- No partial cuts, no “tops of the trees.” You take the full tree or no part of it
- Trees cannot be cut in Cloud Peak Wilderness, within 300 feet of cabins, lodges, resorts, campgrounds, picnic grounds, and administrative sites such as Ranger Stations, or within 100 feet of State Highways.
- Trees along Forest Roads can be cut
All these rules and restrictions are solely for Bighorn National Forests. Other forests may make permits available later this year, and will likely have similar stipulations, but there may be some important differences you’ll need to be aware of.
More than just a festive gesture to Wyoming communities, forest officials say these Christmas tree purchases are important for forest health, reducing dense populations of small-diameter trees.
An online permit purchase doesn’t mean the old ways are completely abandoned. Permits for Bighorn National Forest can still be purchased in person at the district offices in Buffalo, Greybull, and Sheridan. Just make sure to call ahead before you visit as some offices may be doing curbside service.
For more information on Christmas tree permits, visit the Bighorn National Forest’s website: www.fs.usda.gov/main/bighorn/passes-permits/forestproducts
