2024 Christmas tree permits now available for Wallowa Whitman National Forest

By on Friday, November 15th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News

BAKER CITY – (Release from the U.S. Forest Service) Christmas Tree Permits for 2024 are available for purchase at any Wallowa-Whitman Ranger District Office, specific stores, and online at recreation.gov.

These permits sell for $5.00 each. We request that you only purchase one permit per household. They are nonrefundable. Christmas Tree Permits can also be used on the Umatilla National Forest, if accompanied by their printed information. The Christmas Tree Permit is valid on any Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Ranger District.

For guidance on where to cut a tree, please follow the following regulations:

  • Cut your tree at least 50 feet away from the road and clean up any trimmings or limbs.
  • Leave stumps no higher than 10 inches. It is illegal to “top” a tree.
  • Cut off any green limbs left on the stump (they can be used for decorating!).
  • The maximum height of trees to be cut is 15 feet tall, with no larger than a 6-inch stump diameter.
  • Do not cut in active timber sales or areas that have been planted with new trees.
  • Do not cut on private land, in wilderness areas, designated campgrounds, or existing plantations.
  • Do not cut trees in the following areas: Baker City Watershed, Anthony Lakes Campground or Ski Area, Starkey Experimental Forest, La Grande Watershed, Hurricane Creek and Lostine drainages.
  • Do not cut trees within ¼ mile of wild and scenic river corridors.
  • Christmas tree cutting within sight distance of State Highways is prohibited

To use your permit, wrap the permit around the tree trunk, between limbs and secure ends together with the self-stick tape. Remember… once the permit is connected it cannot be undone and the permit is no longer valid. Keep the permit on the tree while in transit.

After Christmas, there are many local non-profit groups that collect Christmas trees for a nominal fee or donation. Call your local Chamber of Commerce or watch your area newspaper for more details.

Christmas Tree Permits are additionally available at the locations listed below.

Baker City, OR:

Whitman Ranger District, (541) 523-6391

Bi-Mart, (541) 523-0680

York’s Covered Wagon, (541) 523-2577

Clarkston, WA:

Hells Canyon NRA, (509) 758-0616

Enterprise, OR:

Dollar Stretcher, (541) 426-5833

Halfway, OR:

Halfway Market, (541) 742-6174

Island City, OR:

Island City Market & Deli, (541) 963-7140

Joseph, OR:

Wallowa Mts. Office*, (541) 426-5546

Sports Corral, (541) 432-4363

La Grande, OR:

La Grande Ranger District, (541) 963-7186

Miller’s Home Center, (541) 963-3113

Bi-Mart, (541) 963-2166

Richland, OR:

Hitchin’ Post Grocery, (541) 893-6175

Sumpter, OR:

The Gold Post, (541) 894-2362

Unity, OR:

Burnt River Market, (541) 446-3660

Union, OR:

Hometown Hardware, (541) 562-5472

Wallowa, OR:

Wallowa Food City, (541) 886-3691

*Vending machine for after-hours purchases at Wallowa Mountains District Office.

For more information, contact the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Headquarters at 541-523-6391 or 1550 Dewey Avenue Suite A. Baker City, Oregon 97814.

Elkhorn Media Group