Silver City, NM, November 15, 2018—For Immediate Release.  Permits for cutting Christmas trees on the Gila National Forest will again be available at all ranger district offices starting Monday, November 19. Families can obtain their permit and cut the family Christmas tree during the Thanksgiving holiday along with any visiting family or friends and avoid the after Thanksgiving Day rush. 

Permits sell for $5.00 each (for any species) with a limit of one permit per household, or free permits are available for the aromatic piñon trees. Any tree species up to 10’ high may be cut.  

A Christmas tree tag, an information sheet on cutting regulations, and maps of designated cutting sites are included with the permits. The Gila NF accepts debit/credit cards, checks and cash (exact change please).

The Gila National Forest is also pleased to announce that all four graders are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit through the Every Kid in a Park initiative.  In support of this initiative, the Forest Service is making available a free Christmas tree permit to every interested fourth grader with a fourth grade pass or paper voucher. For additional information about the initiative and how to obtain a pass, visit here. To be eligible for a free Christmas tree permit from the Gila National Forest, all fourth graders must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and present their fourth grade pass or paper voucher.

It is advisable for harvesters to check with local ranger districts for road and weather conditions prior to going into the forest. Forest users are also asked to respect forest and private lands, dispose of litter in trashcans or “pack it out”, and close all forest gates after passing through them. 

Forest offices are open Monday through Friday (except on holidays). Contact the local ranger district offices for further information on Christmas tree cutting.