(Courtesy USFS)
Christmas tree permits are now available for all seven Ranger District offices and numerous vendors across the Custer Gallatin National Forest. Forest Service offices in Bozeman, West Yellowstone, Livingston, Gardiner, Red Lodge, Ashland, MT and Camp Crook, SD will have permits available from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday for $5.00 each, with a limit of three permits per household. Permits are sold in person and cash, check, debit and credit are accepted.
Those with a permit may cut a Christmas tree anywhere on the Custer 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 50 feet of any stream, lake, or wetland.
Only trees 15 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 call the Ashland Ranger District at 406-784-2344.
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