By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Friday, December 10th, 2021 in More Top Stories
EASTERN OREGON – (Information provided by Wallowa-Whitman National Forest)Once again this is the time for many is in search of cutting down the perfect Christmas tree. Wallowa-Whitman National Forest is offering Christmas Tree permits for $5.00. The permits can be obtained online or at a local retail outlet.
Christmas Tree Permits can now be purchased at https://www.recreation.gov/tree-permits/. For a printable brochure please click here.
The Christmas tree program is designed for families, business, and institutions wishing to cut their own Christmas Tree. Commercial cutting permits are not available. The permits do not authorize cutting on private, state, or other federally-managed lands.
Christmas Tree cutting rules to follow
Cut your tree at least 50 feet away from the road
Clean up any trimmings or limbs
Leave stumps no higher than 10 inches. It is not legal to “top” a tree
Remove any green limbs left that remain on the stump
The maximum tree height is 20 feet and stump diameter is 6 inches
Do not cut in active timber sales or areas that have been planted with new trees
Do not cut on private land, wilderness areas, designated campgrounds, or existing tree 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 in posted Old Growth areas or within 1/4 mile of wild and scenic corridors Christmas Tree cutting within sight of a state highway is prohibited
Local outlets that may also sell Christmas Tree Permits
D&B Supply, in Baker City
Halfway Market, in Halfway
Hitching Post Grocery, in Richland
Hometown Hardware, Union
Bi-Mart, Baker City, Hermiston, La Grande, Pendleton
Burnt River Market, in Unity
Dollar Stretcher, in Enterprise
Island City Market and Deli, Island City
O&M Gas & Grocery, in Elgin
The Sports Corral, in Joseph
Wallowa Food City, in Wallow