Christmas tree permits available

Christmas tree permits are now available for $5 at each of the Flathead National Forest offices in Kalispell, Hungry Horse, and Bigfork, and from a variety of retail vendors in the area.

A complete list of vendors can be found on the Forest’s website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/flathead. Each permit is valid for one tree and there is a maximum of two permits per household. Commercial permits are not available.

As part of the national Every Kid in a Park initiative, all fourth graders are eligible for one free Christmas tree permit.

For students to receive the free tree permit, they must present a valid paper or plastic Every Kid in a Park pass. To obtain the pass, visit www.everykidinapark.gov, follow the instructions on the website then print out the paper voucher. Bring the paper voucher to a Forest Service office to claim the free tree permit. The fourth grader and adult must present the voucher in person at the office location.

The Forest Service is one of several federal agencies participating in the Every Kid in a Park initiative, a nationwide call to action to inspire young people across the country to visit their national parks, forests, public lands and waters. Getting outdoors to find and cut the family Christmas tree is one way for kids and families to explore, learn and play in these special places that belong to all of us.

The forest has an abundant choice of trees and areas from which to choose for selecting a tree. Help us keep a healthy forest, by not cutting trees in campgrounds or other developed areas, plantations, in previously thinned stands and areas posted closed to Christmas tree cuttings.

The Forest Service asks that trees be three to four inches in diameter or less at the stump. Cut the stump as close to the ground as possible, 8 inches or shorter. Trim the live limbs off the stump. Help keep healthy trees and not cut the top off a large tree. Once the tree is cut fasten the permit around the tree trunk before transporting it.

The Christmas tree permit is valid only for National Forest System lands. There are other privately-owned and industry-owned lands in the Flathead Valley area that may not allow Christmas tree cutting.

For a permit or more information about vendors and cutting Christmas trees on the Flathead National Forest, please contact a local Forest Service office: Tally Lake Ranger District/Supervisor’s Office at 758-5204, Hungry Horse, Glacier View and Spotted Bear Ranger Districts at 387-3800 or the Swan Lake Ranger District at 837-7500.