FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Halloween is behind us and Christmas is on the horizon, so now is the perfect time to start making those holiday plans! If you're interested in cutting your own Christmas tree to celebrate the season, Coconino National Forest has you covered.
Coconino NF will start selling a limited number of Christmas tree permits starting Nov. 9 at 8 a.m. Permit owners will be allowed to begin cut down their tree Nov. 17 through Dec. 31.
Act fast, because there are only 1,300 permits available for purchase on the Coconino NF Christmas tree site.
400 of those permits will be designated for cutting areas within the Flagstaff Ranger District, while the remaining 900 will be for parts of the Mogollon Rim Ranger District.
Permits are available on a first-come, first-served basis, officials said. However, Coconino NF isn't the only forest selling permits. You can visit recreation.gov and search "Christmas trees" to find other options available.
Coconino NF released some "need to know" guidelines:
- Though you can purchase a permit online beginning Nov. 9th, cutting is not allowed until Nov. 17 and ends Dec. 31.
- Do not cut on private land, in wilderness areas, designated campgrounds, or existing tree plantations.
- Do not cut in active timber sales or areas that have been planted with new trees.
Remember, the tallest tree you can cut is 10 feet from ground level. Take the whole tree, not just the top.
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