- Visit Recreation.gov to see where to cut a tree, then make your permit purchase online.
- Once in the forest, pick a tree within 10 feet of other trees and 200 feet from roads and recreation sites.
- Once home, make sure you water the tree at least daily to keep it alive as long as possible.
- Visit Insider's Home & Kitchen Reference library for more stories.
Many families consider a Christmas tree the perfect holiday centerpiece for gathering around during the holiday season. For those who are lucky enough to have the opportunity to pick out and harvest their own tree, venturing into a national forest to do so can instantly become an annually cherished tradition. And it's not as challenging as you might think to plan a DIY Christmas tree cut down from the forest.
The US Forest Service offers an easy online Christmas tree cutting permit system that allows families to find and cut their own tree, in minutes. Janelle Smith, a spokesperson for Recreation.gov, offered additional insight into cutting down your own Christmas tree from the forest.
"Cutting a Christmas tree in a national forest helps improve forest health," says Smith. "Since you are cutting the tree in areas identified by local forest health experts, you know you are contributing by helping trees grow larger and opening areas that provide forage for wildlife."
How to get a permit to cut a Christmas tree in a forest
First, you must create an account on Recreation.gov or log in to your existing account. Next, find a local forest through the search function, the map, or the dropdown menu on www.recreation.gov/tree-permits.
Click on the forest closest to you on the Recreation.gov website, and you'll find additional details for that specific forest such as when permit dates go on sale, what the window to cut down your tree is (usually late October/early November through December 31), and how many trees you can cut down with one permit. (Sometimes it's two, three or even five!)
You can usually buy a permit as early as a couple months before Christmas. Prices vary by forest but usually aren't more than $10 or so.
You can also purchase permits through Recreation.gov's mobile app. Just make sure to carefully review and verify that you have read the need-to-know information prior to making your purchase.
Choosing the right tree
- Know where you're going. First, download the "cutting area" map with other important information specific to the area of your permit.
- Find your spot. Stay away from places along the sides of streams, rivers, lakes, and wet areas. The tree you choose must be at least 200 feet from main roads, recreation sites and campgrounds. When selecting and cutting your tree, double-check to make sure you are in a designated cutting area and overall, just follow your permit's guidelines.
- Don't go too tall. Your permit prohibits you from cutting down trees over a certain height. Specifics will be detailed in your permit.
- Thin the crowding. Select a tree that's within 10 feet of another living tree. "Choosing a tree in an overcrowded spot helps thin the area," says Smith.
- Measure twice, cut once. Choose a tree that's the right size for your home — take into account both your ceiling height and the width of the space your tree will go. Also make sure it will fit on your car safely.
- Choose wisely. You may only cut one tree per tag, unless you've purchased a permit that allows you to cut more. Attach your tree tag to the harvested tree before placing it in the vehicle.
Tips for keeping a Christmas tree fresh
- When you get home, use a saw to trim the bottom of the trunk. Similar to cutting the stems on flowers before putting them into water, a fresh cut opens up the trunk to better absorb water.
- Get the tree in water as soon as you can. It's a live plant, so you'll want to replenish its water supply regularly.
- Keep the bottom two inches of the trunk immersed in water, even if that means refilling the stand every single day.
- Be careful about where you put the tree. Setting it near a heat source such as a fireplace can quickly dry it out and make it brittle.
- Make sure to turn Christmas lights off when leaving the room and especially when leaving the house. Christmas lights can be a fire hazard, especially as your tree dries out over time, and should never be left unattended.
Insider's takeaway
Cutting down your own Christmas tree in a national forest is a special experience that's easy, affordable, and fun. Check out the Recreation.gov website to see where you can cut your own tree nearby, and make sure to adhere to the rules listed on your permit.
Trimming these trees is actually good for the health of the forest, and it means you and your family get to enjoy a holiday centerpiece that you picked yourself.
If you don't have a national forest in your area that allows for tree cutting, there are many Christmas tree farms across the country that allow you to cut your own — though you'll likely pay more than the cost of a national park permit.