Water falls off the branches of a noble fir tree as a man lifts the eight-foot tall tree over his head in Oct. 2015 at the Christmas Hills Tree Farm in Mossyrock. Tree-cutting permits will be available for purchase for Gifford Pinchot land on Nov. 15.
Forest officials are encouraging the public to skip crowded Christmas tree lots this year and head out to the forest for a seasonal centerpiece.
Personal-use Christmas tree cutting permits are available for purchase through the Gifford Pinchot National Forest at $5 each. There is a five permit limit per household. The Christmas tree permits include a map of cutting areas as well as an informational sheet with special instructions for cutting Christmas trees in the national forest.
Additionally, households with fourth grade students will be able to acquire a Christmas tree permit free of charge by earning an Every Kid in a Park pass online. With that pass, the students will be able to redeem their voucher or Every Kid in Park pass at any national forest office for a free Christmas tree harvest permit.
Officials warn that winter weather can change rapidly in the forest and most forest roads are not maintained for winter driving. Forest staff advises visitors to bring tire traction devices, a shovel, extra food, drinking water, winter clothing, blankets, a flashlight and a first aid kit, in addition to a tool for cutting their tree and a rope for tying it down.
Locally, Christmas tree permits are available at the following Gifford Pinchot National Forest offices and vendor locations:
Cowlitz Valley
Ranger District
10024 U.S. Highway 12, Randle; 360-497-1100
Office Hours: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Closed for lunch from noon until 1 p.m. daily.)
Fort Vancouver
Visitor Center
1501 E Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver; 360-891-5001
Office Hours: Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
42218 NE Yale Bridge Road, Amboy; 360-449-7800
Office Hours: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Mount Adams
Ranger District
2455 Highway 141, Trout Lake; 509-395-3400
Office Hours: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Closed for lunch from noon until 1 p.m. daily.)
All Forest Service offices will be closed Thanksgiving Day.
Private Vendors Include:
Ashford — Ashford General Store — 360-569-2377
Elbe — Elbe Junction — 360-524-7707
Elbe — Elbe Mall — 360-569-2772
Packwood — Blanton’s Market — 360-494-6101
Randle — Fischer’s Market — 360-497-5355
Randle — Randle One Stop — 360-497-3261
Additional information on the Every Kid in a Park program and the free Christmas tree cutting permit can be found online at everykidinapark.gov.
