EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. — Christmas is coming, and you could save this year by chopping down your Christmas tree by yourself.
California national forests are selling a limited amount of Christmas tree-cutting permits. Eldorado National Forest is selling permits to reduce fuels to prevent forest fires.
Eldorado National Forest wrote on its site, "removing excessive amounts of small trees from the forest will create a healthier forest over time."
Lake Tahoe
The Lake Tahoe Basin Mangement Unit (LTBMU) will begin selling Christmas tree permits on Nov. 25.
You will be able to choose from pine, fir or cedar trees that are up to six inches in diameter (from the base). Permits come with maps that show where people can cut.
A family or an address is limited to one permit. TBMU is allowing tree cutting until Dec. 31 to accommodate military families.
Permits are sold in the following two locations:
Forest Supervisor's Office
- Forest Supervisor’s Office, 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. This office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays. (TBMU says to arrive no later than 4 p.m. to process the purchase before the office closes.)
- North Lake Tahoe Visitor Center, 100 N. Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, CA 96145. This office is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., excluding Christmas Day.
READ MORE:
El Dorado County
Eldorado National Forest is selling Christmas tree permits from Nov. 18 to Dec. 27.
Trees that people can cut are pine, cedar or fir. Eldorado National Forest's said to do not cut hardwood, such as aspen or oak.
Except for the Placerville Ranger District, all offices are Monday to Saturday. The officers would be open from Monday to Friday after Dec. 8 until May.
Here are the following locations where to buy an Eldorado National Forest Christmas tree permit:
- Forest Supervisor's Office (100 Forni Road, Placerville)
- Amador Ranger District (26820 Silver Drive)
- Georgetown Ranger District (7600 Wentworth Springs Road, Georgetown)
- Placerville Ranger District (4260 Eight Mile Road, Camino)
For a map, click HERE.
Plumas County
The Plumas National Forest is selling tree cutting permits from Nov. 1 to Dec. 24.
A permit is $10, and it includes a map of tree cutting areas. A household is limited to two permits.
Plumas National Forest wrote on its site that people could chop down trees through the end of Dec. Plumas National Forest Public Affairs Officer Lee Anne Schramel said the agency would guide those who bought a permit where they could cut down a tree.
Here are the following locations to buy a Plumas National Forest Christmas Tree permit:
- Feather River Ranger District 875 Mitchell Avenue, Oroville
- Beckwourth Ranger District 23 Mohawk Road, Blairsden
- Mt. Hough Ranger District 39696 State Highway 70, Quincy
- Challenge Visitor Center 18050 Mulock Road, Challenge
- Nervino- Beckwourth Fire Center 548 North Industrial Way
- Greenville Work Center 128 Hot Springs Rd., Greenville
FREE ABC10 APP:
►Stay In the Know! Sign up now for ABC10's Daily Blend Newsletter