By Douglas Scott
As the holidays approach, one of Washington State’s many cash crops is harvested in the wilderness of the Olympic Peninsula and across the region. According to the Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association, Christmas tree sales bring $35 million to the state’s economy, making The Evergreen State the 5th largest Christmas tree producer in the nation. Over 2.3 million trees in Washington are cut down annually for Christmas celebrations around the world, with 90% of production going out of state, the majority to California and Mexico.
Washington’s forests are the location to amazing trees of all kinds, and the National Forest Service is allowing you to get your own tree this Christmas. If $5 sounds like the right price for a Christmas tree, then look no further than the National Forest.
In National Forests around the country, permits are being offered to the public looking for the ultimate experience in cutting down their own Christmas tree. While only $5, the permit isn’t nearly as popular as one would think – just 600 permits were gathered in 2013, and as of November 23, 2014, only 20 permits have been issued. Please note that each permit is good for one tree so if you are looking to get multiple trees, you will need multiple permits.
Christmas tree permits from Olympic National Forest can be obtained from any of the National Forest Service offices around the Peninsula and state, as well as through the mail. The application, which is extremely simple, can be downloaded here. Be aware that you can only pick up a permit for the forest in which you are cutting down a tree. If you are looking to get a tree from outside Olympic National Forest, you’ll need to find the forest service office in the region you are getting a tree. There are a few other rules Olympic National Park officials would like you to know before finding your perfect Christmas tree.
Selecting a location
In National Forests, all evergreen species can be cut down. Trees can be cut along the roadway and the understory. However, if you are going to be hiking to find your tree, you must be 100 feet away from the trail. The same distance of 100 feet also applies to those looking to get their tree near a campground or the trailhead itself. Trees are also not to be removed from wilderness areas, which are typically a few miles from most trailheads on the Olympic Peninsula. A reminder: The permit you obtained is only valid for the forest at which it was purchased.
Selecting a Tree
Once you have decided on an area for where you will get your tree, you need to be aware of a few regulations about which tree you can take. In National Forests, all evergreen species can be cut down. But there are some rules on what size of trees can be taken and where the tree needs to be cut. Trees standing alone, without a tree within 10 feet, are not to be cut. You are also strongly encouraged to take the smaller of the trees, keeping the taller, more healthy trees in the forest. Topping of trees is also not allowed, and all trees need to be taken from as close to the ground as you can. Be aware that if you decide to take a western hemlock as your Christmas tree, the needles will start to fall off in one week, even with the tree being watered.
Taking a Tree Home
Once you have cut down your tree, National Park officials require you to immediately attach the tag you receive with your permit to the tree. If you are hauling more than 5 trees, the National Forest service requires a hauling permit, which will need to be picked up and discussed in a National Forest Service office. Make sure you properly secure your tree on your vehicle, using tie-downs as much as possible to avoid losing the tree on a roadway.
Get more information.
The National Forest Service has numerous tips and videos for cutting down your own Christmas tree, and they are more than happy to answer any and all questions you may have, either in person or on the phone. While not from the direct region, the Mount Hood National Forest has put together a great video to ensure you are not only being law abiding while finding your tree but also selecting the best possible tree.
