Christmas tree permits are now available across several Nevada and Northern California public lands.
Each agency sets its own rules, but all require a permit, limit cutting to designated areas, and ask people to transport trees with the permit visible.
Fourth graders with a valid Every Kid Outdoors Pass can receive a free permit with a reservation fee, where they are offered.
Agencies say cutting small trees also supports forest health by thinning dense stands.
BLM CARSON CITY DISTRICT
The Bureau of Land Management in the Carson City District will begin selling Christmas tree permits on Monday, November 24. Permits will be sold online and in person. The permit is valid from the date it is purchased through December 25.
Online permits can be purchased by visiting the BLM forest products website and selecting the Nevada Carson City District Office.
Each permit costs five dollars. Buyers receive a map and instructions with their purchase. A person may buy up to ten permits for individual use. Only pinyon pine or juniper trees may be cut, and the agency says all other species are prohibited.
Pinyon pine cutting is allowed only in the Clan Alpine and Desatoya Mountains east of Fallon and the Excelsior Mountains southeast of Hawthorne.
It is not allowed in the Pine Nut Mountains or the Virginia Range because of past fires and habitat conservation.
Juniper trees may be cut across all district-managed land.
Cutting is not allowed in wilderness areas, wilderness study areas, or near residential areas.
Permits are also sold in person at multiple sites, including the Carson City District Office, the Nevada State Office in Reno, CAL Ranch in Carson City, the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce in Gardnerville, the UNR Cooperative Extension Office in Fallon, Middlegate Station east of Fallon, the Consolidated Agencies of Human Services in Hawthorne and the Cold Springs Station Resort east of Fallon.
The agency advises people to bring warm clothing, food, water, a first aid kit, rope or chain, a shovel, and tire chains due to winter travel conditions.
Some areas may become inaccessible after snowfall, and the agency recommends cutting trees early in the season.
People are asked to carry their permit, follow all cutting rules, stay on existing roads, and make sure they are on BLM land.
The agency asks that any permit violations be reported with as much detail as possible, including the date, car license plate number, and location.
BLM WINNEMUCCA DISTRICT
The Bureau of Land Management in the Winnemucca District will begin selling Christmas tree permits on Wednesday, November 26. Permits will be sold online and in person.
In-person permits can be obtained by making an appointment with the District Office located at 5100 E. Winnemucca Boulevard, Monday through Friday, by email, or by calling (775) 623-1500. The permit is valid from the date it is purchased through December 24.
Permits are no longer available in Lovelock.
Online permits can be purchased by visiting the BLM forest products website and selecting the Nevada Winnemucca District.
Each permit costs five dollars, acceptable forms of payment are cash, check, or credit card.
Buyers receive a map and instructions with their purchase. A person may buy up to ten permits for individual use. Only pinyon pine or juniper trees may be cut, and the agency says all other species are prohibited.
BLM says a good spot for cutting Pinyon pine and Juniper Christmas Trees is McKinney Pass and Kitten Springs in the Stillwater Range.
BLM says those cutting Christmas trees need to pay attention to the marked boundary areas in the field locations, provided on the map. Although there are many areas on the multiple mountain ranges to cut Christmas trees, there is a large portion of the Fencemaker Canyon where Christmas tree cutting is prohibited.
Cutting is not allowed in wilderness areas, wilderness study areas, or near residential areas.
The agency advises people to bring warm clothing, food, water, a first aid kit, rope or chain, a shovel, and tire chains due to winter travel conditions.
Some areas may become inaccessible after snowfall, and the agency recommends cutting trees early in the season.
People are asked to carry their permit, follow all cutting rules, stay on existing roads, and make sure they are on BLM land.
The agency asks that any permit violations be reported with as much detail as possible, including the date, car license plate number, and location.
TAHOE NATIONAL FOREST
The Tahoe National Forest is selling Christmas tree permits through Recreation.gov. People must login and set up an account, and must read all rules before checking out.
Permits will also be sold in person Saturday, December 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the “Christmas on the Tahoe” event at the Tahoe National Forest Headquarters, located at 631 Coyote Street, in Nevada City.
The event includes holiday shopping and Junior Snow Ranger activities for children.
Fourth graders with a valid Every Kid Outdoors pass may receive a free permit with a reservation fee.
The forest says cutting smaller trees “helps thin densely populated stands of small diameter trees” and supports forest health.
PLUMAS NATIONAL FOREST
The Plumas National Forest is selling non-refundable ten-dollar permits in person and online. A household can buy two permits, which are valid through December 31.
Cutting is allowed only on Plumas National Forest land and is not permitted in wilderness areas, active timber sales, recreation sites, or tree plantations.
Permits are available at ranger district offices in Blairsden, Oroville, and Quincy, as well as online through Recreation.gov with a reservation fee. Online permits must be printed and placed visibly on a car dashboard.
Permits made payable in cash or check only will also be sold on Friday, December 5, from 5 to 8 p.m. during Sparkle on the Courthouse Lawn in downtown Quincy.
Fourth graders with an Every Kid Outdoors pass may receive a free permit with a reservation fee.
The forest urges people to check the weather, bring winter travel supplies, and cut early before snow limits access.
HUMBOLDT TOIYABE NATIONAL FOREST
The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is offering permits through Recreation.gov with a reservation fee. Permits are first-come, first-served and valid through December 25.
Each permit allows one tree to be cut on land managed by the district where the permit was purchased.
Trees cannot be cut on private or state land or in campgrounds, administrative sites or wilderness areas.
People who buy in person receive an adhesive tag that must be attached to the tree and visible.
People who purchase online must print the permit and place it on their car dashboard where it is visible.
Fourth graders with an Every Kid Outdoors pass may receive a free permit with a reservation fee.
The forest says removing smaller trees in designated areas “helps other trees grow larger and can open areas that provide forage for wildlife.”
