Christmas Tree Cutting Not Permitted In The Sierra National Forest

Christmas Tree Cutting Not Permitted In The Sierra National Forest
Contact: Sue Exline (559) 297-0706 ext 4804

For immediate release.

Clovis (November 23, 2009)..."For many, the holiday season brings thoughts of traveling to the local mountains to cut a fresh Christmas tree in the Forest, however, it is illegal to cut and remove trees from The Sierra National Forest," stated Supervisor Ed Cole.

"As an alternative, there are several choose and cut Christmas tree farms located in the San Joaquin Valley and foothill mountains as well as numerous vendors supplying Christmas trees," added Cole. The National Christmas Tree Association provides a list of tree farms where fresh Christmas trees can be cut. Their website is http://www.christmastree.org/home.cfm

If you do purchase and transport a pre-cut tree from a mountain area business or plan to cut a tree on private property, be sure to carry a receipt with you. If you cut a tree on private land within the Forest boundary, carry a written statement of permission signed by the landowner.

The minimum penalty for cutting a tree from National Forest lands or transporting a single tree is $200 with the maximum as much as $5,000 and/or six months in jail. If more than one tree is taken, violators are fined the value of the trees at maturity.

I've driven a lot on very old logging roads in NF land (not Sierra, mainly Tahoe and Plumas) and the areas that were clear cut haven't shown much sign of recovery at all. Seems all that grows is grass and manzanita and a few other low-growing shrubs and plants. Probably the same in Sierra NF. You even need a permit to collect dead and down wood for firewood! Personally, I prefer buying a living tree and planting it sometime later.

Christmas Tree cutting is allowed in Plumas NF but not in Tahoe NF. Here's a complete list where you can and can't:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/tahoe/passes_permits/xmastree.shtml