This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Permits to cut Christmas trees in Utah are, or will be, available on U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Utah will sell non-commercial permits to cut pinyon pine and juniper Christmas trees beginning in early November.

Dates:  Nov. 4 to Dec. 24. Cost:  $10 each with a limit of two per household.

In Salt Lake City, permits will be available at the Field Office at 2370 South 2300 West. See a list of other BLM locations below, and for more information, call: (801) 977-4300.

U.S. Forest Service permits will be available around the state; see a list of locations below. Tree permits are for personal use only, and only cash and checks are accepted.

Tips from the Forest Service for cutting your own tree:

• Weather conditions in the mountains are unpredictable, so always be prepared for winter weather. Stay on designated roads and trails. Be prepared for slick, snow-packed roads and have chains, a 4-wheel drive vehicle, or a snow machine available.

• Let someone know where you are planning to go and the approximate time you will return. Carry a cell phone; bring additional warm clothing, good, warm gloves, boots, and a container of hot liquid, water, lunch or snack, as it may take longer than expected.

• Carry a flashlight, chains, shovel, first-aid kit, matches, a hatchet, ax or handsaw, and rope to secure your tree.

• Trees must always be cut close to the ground, leaving the stump no higher than 6 inches. A shovel will come in handy to dig through the snow to reach the base of the tree.

• Make sure your permit is attached to the tree before leaving the cutting area.

• Tree topping is not allowed.

• No cutting within 200 feet of riparian areas (lakes and streams) roads, campgrounds, picnic areas, administrative sites, summer home areas, or within designated closed areas shown on tree cutting area maps.

There are several locations outside Salt Lake City to acquire BLM permits:

Fillmore Field Office

Dates:  Nov. 18 – Dec. 24. Cost:  $5 each with a limit of one per household. Type:  Juniper and Pinyon Pine. Where to purchase permits:  Fillmore Field Office, 95 East 500 North, Fillmore, UT  84631 For more information call:  (435)743-3100

 

Cedar City Field Office

Dates: Nov. 1- Dec. 24. Cost: $10 each with a limit of two per household. Type: Juniper, Pinyon Pine and White Fir. Where to purchase permits: Cedar City Field Office, 176 East D.L. Sargent Drive, Cedar City, UT  84721. For more information call: (435)865-3000

 

Richfield Field Office

Dates:  Now – Dec. 24. Cost:  $10 each with a limit of two per person. Type: Pinyon Pine and Juniper. Where to purchase permits:  Richfield Field Office, 150 East 900 North, Richfield, UT  84701. For more information call:  (435)896-1500

 

St. George Field Office

Dates: Nov. 1- Dec. 24. Cost: $10 each with a limit of two per household. Type: Pinyon Pine. Where to purchase permits: St. George Field Office, 345 East Riverside Drive, St. George, UT  84790. For more information call: (435)688-3200

 

Kanab Field Office

Dates: Nov. 1- Dec. 24. Cost: $10 each with a limit of two per household. Type: Juniper and Pinyon Pine. Where to purchase permits: Kanab Field Office, 669 South Highway 89 A, Kanab, UT  84741. For more information call: (435)644-1200

 

Moab Field Office

Dates:  Nov. 20-Dec. 24. Cost:  $10 each with a limit of two per household. Type:  Pinyon Pine. Where to purchase permits:  Moab Field Office, 82 East Dogwood Moab, UT  84532

For more information call:  (435)259-2100

 

Monticello Field Office

Dates:  Now – Dec. 24. Cost:  $10 each with a limit of two per household. Type:  Pinyon Pine and Juniper. Where to purchase permits: Monticello Field Office, 365 North Main, Monticello, UT 84535. For more information call:  (435)587-1500

 

Price Field Office

Dates:  Nov. 25 – Dec. 24. Cost:  $10 each with a limit of one per household. Type:  Pinyon Pine and Juniper. Where to purchase permits:  Price Field Office, 125 South 600 West, Price, UT 84501.For more information call:  (435)636-3600

 

Vernal Field Office

Dates:  Nov. 22 – Dec. 23 (depending on purchase location). Cost: $10 each with one permit per household. Type:  Pinyon Pine and Juniper. Where to purchase permits: Vernal Field Office, 170 South 500 East, Vernal, UT 84078, (435)781-4400, (Nov. 22 through Dec. 23); Davis Food & Drugs, 575 West Main, Vernal, UT 84078, (through Dec. 20), (435)789-7011. Roosevelt at: Davis Food & Drugs, 750 East 200 North, Roosevelt, UT  84066, (435)722-2296, (Nov. 22 through Dec. 23); Stewart's Marketplace, 245 W Hwy 40, Roosevelt, UT, 84066, (435)722-5650 (Nov. 22 through Dec. 23)

The U.S. Forest Service locations to acquire permits also are around the state.

Ashley National Forest

Contact information: (435) 789-1181 – http://fs.usda.gov/ashley

Flaming Gorge Ranger District: (435) 784-3445 - Permits go on sale Friday, November 22, 2013. Permits will be available at the Flaming Gorge Ranger District Office, intersection Highway 43 & 44, Manila, Utah from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Permits will also be available at Flaming Gorge Resort,

Highway 191, Dutch John, Utah, Sunday-Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Permits will also be sold at the Green River Office, located inside the Green River Chamber office, 1155 Flaming Gorge Way, Green River, Wyoming, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Saturday,

November 23 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Cost of the nonrefundable permit is $10.00.

Duchesne Ranger District: (435) 738-2482 - Permits go on sale Friday, November 22, 2013. Permits may be purchased at the Duchesne Ranger District Office, 85 West Main, Duchesne, Utah, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. Permits may also be purchased at the Hanna Country Store, State Route 35, Hanna, Utah,

(435) 848-5752 and at Stewart's Market, 245 West Highway 40 in Roosevelt, Utah Monday-Saturday 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. closed Sundays, (435) 722-5650, Davis Jubilee Food & Drug, 750 East 2nd North, Roosevelt, Utah Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (435) 722-2206. Permits are $10.00 each, one permit per household.

Vernal Ranger District: (435) 789-1181 - Permits go on sale Friday, November 22, 2013. Permits may be purchased at the Vernal Office, located at 355 North Vernal Avenue in Vernal, Utah, Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Permits may also be purchased at the following businesses 7 days a week; Davis Jubilee Store, 575 West Main, in Vernal, (435) 789-2001, and Shirley's Country Corner, 6982 North 9500 East, Highway 12 in LaPoint, (435) 247-2690. Permits are $10.00.

Dixie National Forest

Contact information: (435) 865-3700 – http://fs.usda.gov/dixie

Cedar City Ranger District: (435) 865-3700 - Permits go on sale Monday, November 4, 2013. Permits can be obtained at the Cedar City Ranger District, 1789 North Wedgewood Lane, Cedar City, Utah from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Permits will also be available at Hurst Ace Hardware Store, 165

South Main, Cedar City, Utah (435) 865-9335. Permits are $10.00 for a tree up to 10 feet and $20.00 for a tree 11 feet to 20 feet, one permit per household, two trees maximum. The only species of trees that can be cut are Sub-Alpine Fir, White Fir, and Pinyon Pine. Please check with the Cedar City Ranger District office before traveling to obtain the most current road condition information.

Escalante Ranger District: (435) 826-5400 - Permits go on sale Thursday, November 7, 2013. Permits can be purchased at the Escalante Ranger District, 755 West Main, Escalante, Utah from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Permits may also be bought at Antimony Merc, Antimony, Utah (435) 624-3253,

7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Contact the Escalante Ranger District for a list of other vendors. Permits are $10.00, one permit per household, one tree only. All species of tree may be cut, except Bristlecone Pine.

Powell Ranger District: (435) 676-9300 - Permits are now available and can be purchased at the Powell Ranger District, 225 East Center Street, Panguitch, Utah from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Permits are $10.00 for a tree up to 10 feet and $20.00 for a tree 11 feet to 20 feet. All species of trees can be cut, except Bristlecone Pine. To obtain a permit by mail, contact the Powell Ranger District.

St. George Interagency Visitor Center: (435) 688-3246 or (435) 652-3100 - Permits go on sale Monday, November 4, 2013. Permits can be purchased at the Visitor Center, 345 East Riverside Drive, St. George, Utah, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Permits may also be purchased at Veyo Mercantile, 13 North Main Street, Veyo, Utah (435) 574-2749, Monday through Thursday, 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturdays from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Permits are $10.00; Pinyon Pine and Juniper are the only species of trees that may be cut. One person can purchase up to 5 tags.

Fishlake National Forest

Contact information: (435) 896-9233 – http://fs.usda.gov/fishlake

Beaver Ranger District: (435) 438-2436 – Permits may be purchased at the Ranger District office, 575 South Main, Beaver, Utah, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Permits are $10.00. Blue Spruce may NOT be cut. Trees are NOT to be cut in the Merchant Valley Summer Home area or along the visible edge of SR-153. As a convenience to the public, permits will be available again this year at: Beaver Sports and Pawn, 91 N. Main, Beaver, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week

(435) 438-2100. Fishlake Lumber, 1627 N HWY 357, Beaver 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday (435) 438-5454. Piute County Sheriff Office, 550 N. Main, Junction, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, (435) 577-2988.

Fillmore Ranger District: (435) 743-5721 – Permits will be sold November 18 through December 20 at the office in Fillmore, 390 South Main Street, Fillmore, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Fillmore District will be open on Saturdays, November 30, December 7, and December 14, from 8:30 a.m. to

2:30 p.m. Purchase limit is one permit per household (additional tags may be purchased for neighbors, family members, etc.). Suggested cutting areas are as follows: Whiskey Creek, John Williams Canyon, Chalk Creek, Meadow Creek, Cove Fort, Willow Creek, and Wild Goose Canyon. NO trees may be cut in Dry Creek and Oak Creek Canyon.

Fremont River Ranger District: (435) 836-2811 - Permits may be purchased at the Fremont River Ranger District Office, 138 South Main, Loa, Utah from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Permits are $10.00. The Fishlake Basin Recreation Area, including Johnson Valley, is closed to tree cutting from the Forest Boundary on the west to Zedd's Meadow on the east.

Richfield Ranger District: (435) 896-9233 - Permits go on sale Monday, November 18, 2013. Permits can be purchased at the Richfield Ranger District Office, 115 East 900 North, Richfield, Utah, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Permits are $10.00.

Manti-La Sal National Forest

Contact information: http://fs.usda.gov/mantilasal

Ferron/Price Ranger Districts: (435) 384-2372/ (435) 637-2817 and Moab/Monticello Ranger Districts: (435) 259-7155/ (435) 587-2041 - Permits will be on sale at all offices of the Manti-La Sal National Forest beginning Monday, November 25 for $10 each. District offices (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. Purchasers will need to provide a check or exact change. There will be no refunds. To buy a permit for a tree over 8 feet in height, the buyer must pay 50 cents per additional foot, payable when the permit is purchased.

The Forest will also be selling tree permits through the mail. Customers should send a self-addressed envelope, request for the permit, provide their name, mailing address, phone number, and a check for $10/per permit in an envelope marked "Attention: Christmas Tree Sales." Make checks payable to: USDA Forest Service. A permit will be sent by return mail. A purchaser may request authorization for trees taller than 8 feet (see above) as part of their order, and include the additional costs in their check payment.

Orders should be sent to the district where the tree will be cut: Supervisor's Office/Price District, 599 W. Price River Drive, Price, UT 84501, phone, 435-637-2817; Ferron-Price District Office, P.O. Box 310, Ferron, UT 84523, phone, 435-384-2372; Moab District Office, P.O. Box 386, Moab, UT, 84532, phone, 435-259-7155; Monticello District Office, P.O. Box 820, Monticello, UT 84535, phone, 435-587-2041; and the Sanpete District Office, 540 N. Main Street, Ephraim, UT 84627-1117, phone, 435-283-4151.

In addition, the following private vendors will be selling permits: Choice Hardware & Home Center, 1005 N. Main, Nephi; Beck's Home Furnishings, 14 West Main, Mt. Pleasant; Rasmussen Ace Hardware, 435 South Main, Gunnison; The Main Street Market, 15 W. Main Street, Ferron and Sutherland Lumber, 406 S Hwy 55, Price. The cost for permits is the same regardless of where they are purchased. Customers traveling long distances for permits should call in advance to determine if permits are still available.

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache national forests

Contact information: (801) 999-2103 http://fs.usda.gov/uwcnf

Evanston/Mt. View Ranger Districts: (307) 789-3194 and (307) 782-6555 - Permits for the Evanston area go on sale Friday, November 15, 2013. Permits are $10.00, one permit per household, one tree only. Permits can be purchased at the Evanston Ranger District Office, 1565 South Highway 150, Suite A, Evanston, Wyoming, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Permits may also be purchased at the Bear River Lodge located 30 miles south of Evanston on the Mirror Lake Highway, (435) 642-6289. Any species of tree may be cut, but Lodgepole Pine is the main species in the area. Snow conditions may require permit holders to use snowmobiles, cross-country skies, or snowshoes to access the cutting area.

Permits for the Mt. View area go on sale, Friday, November 15, 2013. Permits are $10.00, one permit per household, one tree only. Permits can be purchased at the Mountain View Ranger District, 321 Highway 414, Mountain View, Wyoming, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday only. Permits may also be purchased at the Maverick Store (307) 782-6693 located at 655 N. Highway 414 in Mountain View, Wyoming, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Any species of tree may be cut, but Lodgepole Pine is the main species in the area. The gates on the Mirror Lake Highway and on the North Slope Road are typically closed during the first week of December, limiting access for people without a snow machine. Cutting is not allowed in the Lily Lake Cross Country Ski Area.

Spanish Fork Ranger District: (801) 798-3571 - Permits will be sold on Wednesday, November 20th, at the Spanish Fork Ranger District located at 44 West 400 North, Spanish Fork, Utah, One tree permit per adult (16 years of age and older) will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis until 400 tags are sold. Tree cutting permits are $10.00 and are for designated cutting areas within the Vernon area located in Tooele County on the Spanish Fork Ranger District. Only pinyon pine or juniper trees 20 feet tall or shorter may be cut and removed. Trees may be cut until December 24th and all trees must be tagged prior to transporting them. —

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