Cut-Your-Own Christmas Tree Permits On Sale Nov. 21;
4th Graders Can Get One Free
SANTA FE, NM – Nov. 9, 2016 – For Immediate Release – Permits to cut your own Christmas tree on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) go on sale Monday, Nov. 21, 2016, at Forest Headquarters, all Ranger District offices and select third-party vendors.
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. 23, 2016. Permit purchasers will receive a tree tag, map and guidelines for harvesting a tree.
One tag is valid for a tree up to five inches in diameter and 10 feet in height. Trees taller than 10 feet and/or wider than five inches 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.
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.
The public may purchase Christmas tree permits at Forest Headquarters in Santa Fe and Ranger Stations in Coyote, Cuba, Española, Jemez, Pecos and Las Vegas from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. All offices will be closed on Veterans Day (Nov. 11) and Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 24).
In addition to Santa Fe National Forest offices, permits are also available at the following vendors:
Los Alamos Historical Museum
Fuller Lodge Lobby
1050 Bathtub Row
Los Alamos, NM 87544
505.695.5250
Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
REI
500 Market Street, #100
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505. 982.3557
Monday-Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Sunday: 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Walatowa Visitor Center
7413 Highway 4
Jemez Pueblo, NM 87024
575.834.7235
Friday-Sunday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24: 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon
Cash or check only – no credit cards
Phillips 66/Cuba Grill
6454 Main Street
Cuba, NM 87013
575.289.0338
Monday-Sunday: 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Pancho’s Minute Men Shell Station
9 S. Main Street
Pecos, NM 87552
505.757.2620
Monday-Saturday: 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Sunday: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Cash only
Griego’s Market
Highway 50
Pecos, NM
505.757.6555
Monday-Saturday: 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Sunday: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Laguna Vista Quik-Stop
167 Highway 518
Las Vegas, NM 87701
505.425.7706
Monday-Friday: 6:00 a.m.to 10:00 p.m., Saturday: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Sunday: 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24: 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Since vendors will receive a limited number of permits, you may want to call in advance to check availability. For additional information about the Santa Fe National Forest’s Christmas tree permits, please contact Forest Headquarters at 505.438.5300.