There are many iconic moments from the 1989 classic National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. But the one that really etched itself into my childhood consciousness was when Clark Griswold ventured into a nearby forest to cut down a Christmas tree.
“You can cut down your own tree?” I thought. “That sounds amazing!”
Of course, this childhood dream never came true for me, mostly because I grew up in the South Texas desert (and mesquite trees don’t quite pass muster for ol’ Saint Nick).
But in reality, much of the rest of the country has access to public lands with actual pine trees. Some readers who live near national forests may already have longstanding family traditions of harvesting their own tree. But many other Americans likely don’t know that it’s possible to buy a permit for cutting down a Christmas tree on public land.
From national forests managed by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to federal lands controlled by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to options on the county level — it’s actually quite easy (and pretty cheap) to find nearby forests with trees ready to be taken home and covered in tinsel.
So instead of heading down to Home Depot, consider finding your own tree and cutting it down yourself. Read on to find out the options.
Why Cut Your Own Tree
But, wait! Isn’t it bad to cut down trees from public lands? Well, not necessarily.
Harvesting a tree on public land can actually help keep forests healthy. Christmas tree harvests help thin overgrown forests, according to the USFS.
Decades of fire suppression has resulted in a buildup of dead leaves and trees, which can lead to more serious wildfires. The small- to medium-sized trees that most people want for their living room are the perfect kind to remove from densely grown areas.
And buying a plastic tree isn’t really an improvement, either. They might last for at least a few years — but they’re also made from fossil fuels. Real Christmas trees grown on private farms are also an alternative. But those are often cultivated far away from where they’re eventually sold, wrapped in plastic, and trucked away for many miles.
Finally, you can also save some cash by farming your own tree from public land. Buying trees from private farms or box stores like Home Depot tend to cost far more than the DIY method. While you’ll likely spend at least $50 buying one through private sellers, a permit for cutting a tree on public lands often costs as little as $10.
National Forests
Unless you’ve got a hookup with a private land owner, your best bet for finding a tree on public land is through the tree permits on Recreation.gov. This handy portal shows all the national forests where you can cut down Christmas trees. Just type in your state, and it’ll show you the national forest closest to you.
To be fair, not everyone has equal access, depending on where you live. In states like Georgia, for example, there’s nothing available through Recreation.gov this year, though it seems the Chattahoochee National Forest has been available for Christmas tree cutting in years past.
If you have a national forest near you that doesn’t show up through Recreation.gov, it might be worth a quick phone call to find out if the permits are still available by going in person.
Once you have your permit, make sure that you end up in the right place for tree cutting. In addition to the maps available through the website for each national forest, you can also download a mapping app. Mobile apps like onX or Gaia can show you exactly where you’re standing in relation to public and private lands. It’s easy to confuse the often-overlapping land boundaries, so make sure you’re cutting your tree in the right place.
BLM Land
National forests aren’t the only public lands where you can cut down a tree. There are also a handful of states where the BLM allows residents to venture onto federally owned lands and cut down their own trees. There are at least 14 states where residents can legally harvest a tree, according to the BLM website.
Those include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
You’ll first need to check the specific regulations surrounding permits in each of these states, which vary by region. But for the first time this year, those interested in venturing onto federal land for their own tree don’t need to visit a BLM office in person. You can obtain your permit through BLM’s online portal.
Local Options
Federal lands aren’t the only options for cut-it-yourself Christmas trees, of course. Many state parks and even local parks at the county level may offer permitted harvesting of trees as well. If you can’t find any federal options, then consider checking in with your state’s wildlife department or county offices. They may have additional information on where you can legally cut down trees in your area.
Depending on where you live, you might face a moderate drive to reach some legally harvestable pine trees. But if you like the idea of getting outdoors and finding your own tree in the wilderness, it’s well worth the time and effort.
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