This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Five Utah national forests have announced where and how residents can obtain permits to cut Christmas trees on public lands.

Some rules are common to all of the forests. Those cutting trees should be prepared for slick, snow-packed roads. Trees must always be cut close to the ground leaving the stump no higher than six inches. Permits must be attached to the tree before leaving the cutting area. And no cutting is allowed within 200 feet of lakes, streams, roads, campgrounds, picnic areas, administrative sites, summer home areas or within designated closed areas shown on tree cutting maps.

For detailed information on each forest, call the supervisor's office or log on to their website. Here is some basic information:

Ashley National Forest (435-789-1181, http:://fs.usda.gov/ashley):

Christmas tree permit fees have increased on the Ashley from $10 to $15 this year. Only one per household will be issued. Permits go on sale beginning on November 15 at district ranger offices and some private stores. This area includes forests near Flaming Gorge, Vernal, Duchesne and Roosevelt.

Dixie National Forest (435-865-3700, http://fs.usda.gov/dixie): Permits are $10 for a tree up to 10 feet and $20 for trees 11 to 20 feet. There is one permit per household and two trees maxium. Check with ranger districts for the tykpe of tree that can be cut. This area includes Cedar City, Escalante, Panguitch, and the St. George area. Permits go on sale Monday.

Fishlake National Forest (435-896-9233, http://fs.usda.gov/fishlake):

Christmas tree permits sell for $10 each and must be obtained in person. Permits may be bought at any of the Fishylake National Forest offices and go on sale Monday. Ranger district offices are located in Richfield, Loa, Fillmore, and Beaver. They may also be purchased at Beaver Sports and Pawn in Beaver, Fishlake Lumber in Beaver, the Piute County Sheriff Office in Junction, Don's Sinclair in Salina, and Larsen's ace Hardware in Richfield.

Manti-LaSal National Forest (http://fs.usda.gov/mantilasal):

Christmas tree permits will be on sale at all offices of this forest beginning November 16 for $10 each. The cost for trees taller than 12 feet is 50 cents per additional foot. They will remain on sale through December 24. Tags should be purchased at the district where the tree will be cut. District offices in Ephraim, Ferron, Moab and Monticello are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Supervisor's Office in Price is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is a limit of three permits per person. Those buying much need to provide a credit card, check or exact change.

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forests (801-999-2103, http://fs.usda.gov/uwcnf): Permit sales are Friday and Saturday only for the Heber-Kamas Ranger Districts and will be sold both days at the Soldier Hollow Lodge in Midway. Permits for the Evanston/Mt. View Ranger Districts will be available on November 13. They will also be sold at the Bear River Lodge located 30 miles south of Evanston on the Mirror Lake Highway. The Spanish Fork Ranger District will begin issuing 380 permits on November 12. In addition, 20 permits will be available at Choice Hardware and Home Center in Nephi.