Permits to cut Christmas trees in SFNF go on sale Monday. Courtesy/photo
SFNF News:
SANTA FE – Permits to cut your own Christmas tree on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) go on sale Monday, Nov. 23, at Forest Headquarters, all Ranger District offices and select third-party vendors.
This year, as part of the White House’s “Every Kid in a Park” initiative, every fourth grader is eligible for a free holiday tree permit. In order to redeem the free permit, the student must present a valid fourth-grade pass, downloadable at www.everykidinapark.gov. Once the pass is printed out, the fourth graders must bring a parent or guardian over the age of 18 with them to the nearest SFNF office to pick up the permit.
The free permits can only be fulfilled at a SFNF office.
The nonrefundable Christmas tree permits are for personal use only and may be purchased for $10 by check, credit/debit card or cash through Dec. 24. Permit purchasers will receive a tree tag, map and guidelines for harvesting a tree.
One tag is valid for a tree up to five feet in diameter and 10 feet in height. Trees taller than 10 feet and/or wider than five feet require an additional tag. For example, a 15-foot tree requires two tags. The Santa Fe National Forest has a three-tag limit per person.
The public may purchase Christmas tree permits 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday at Forest Headquarters in Santa Fe and Ranger Stations in Coyote, Cuba, Española, Jemez, Pecos and Las Vegas. All offices will be closed Thanksgiving Day.
In addition to Santa Fe National Forest offices, permits also are available at the following vendors(free permits for fourth graders are only available on the website or the Santa Fe National Forest office in Santa Fe):
Los Alamos Historical Society and Gift Shop (free permits for fourth graders are only available on the website or the Santa Fe National Forest office in Santa Fe)
- 475 20th Street
- Los Alamos, NM 87544
- 505.662.4493
- Mon-Fri: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sat-Sun: 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
REI
- 500 Market Street, #100
- Santa Fe, NM 87501
- 505. 982.3557
- Mon-Fri: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sat: 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Sun: 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Walatowa Visitor Center
- 7413 Highway 4
- Jemez Pueblo, NM 87024
- 575.834.7235
- Fri-Sun: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Cash or check only – no credit cards
Phillips 66/Cuba Grill
- 6454 Main Street
- Cuba, NM 87013
- 575.289.0338
- Mon-Sun: 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Pancho’s Minute Men Shell Station
- 9 S. Main Street
- Pecos, NM 87552
- 505.757.2620
- Mon-Sat: 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Sun: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Cash only
Griego’s Market
- Highway 50
- Pecos, NM
- 505.757.6555
- Mon-Sat: 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Sun: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Laguna Vista Quik-Stop
- 167 Highway 518
- Las Vegas, NM 87701
- 505.425.7706
- Mon-Fri: 6:00 a.m.to 10:00 p.m., Sat: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Sun: 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Thanksgiving Day: 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Permit holders should be prepared for unpredictable weather changes and colder conditions at higher elevations. Forest Service staff may be in the cutting areas to check permits and answer questions.
Permit holders are asked to practice good stewardship. Christmas tree permits purchased at a Santa Fe National Forest office or authorized vendor are valid only on land within Forest boundaries, and tree cutting is prohibited within 300 feet of streams, rivers and paved roads, and in all recreation camp areas and congressionally designated wilderness areas.
For additional information about the Santa Fe National Forest’s Christmas tree permits, contact Forest Headquarters at 505.438.5300.
