Sonora, CA…With Christmas tree harvesting opening this Friday on the Stanislaus National Forest and inclement weather predicted in the higher elevations, Forest officials want to remind everyone to come prepared and exercise caution while harvesting your tree and making lifelong memories.

Please remember to dress warmly, bring extra clothes, water and food, carry your permit and map, and ensure your car is equipped with chains or appropriate tires. Use forest maps as GPS may not be up to date and stay off private land and out of the Experimental Forest.  Cell service may be spotty or unreliable, so be sure someone knows where you are and when to expect you back and check the latest weather prior to heading out.

“With recent weather systems dropping significant snow on some of our higher elevation designated Christmas Tree cutting areas, road conditions have changed. Especially for folks not experienced driving higher elevation Forest Roads, we’re asking people to make sure that are prepared to drive in the snow, they’re travelling with all of the necessary break down equipment in their vehicle (chains, jumper cables, blankets) and that they slow down and exercise caution while out on the forest,” said Mi-Wok/Summit District Ranger, Shawn Winstead.

We recommend having the Avenza Maps app and the Stanislaus National Forest map and/or the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) on your phone and use the QR code for the Christmas Tree Cutting map to see your location and to ensure you are within the forest area where tree cutting is allowed.

A permit must be acquired and displayed on the vehicle dashboard for the tree(s) you are going to cut. There is a limit of one permit per Recreation.gov account, and the maximum purchase of two trees per permit. Digital copies will not be accepted as a permit and could potentially result in a fine.

When choosing your tree, please follow the guidelines below:

• Tree Height: 20 feet maximum
• Stump height after cut: 12 inches maximum
• Tree diameter at stump diameter: 6 inches maximum
• Do not cut isolated trees growing in the open.
• Select Pine, Fir, or Cedar. Do not cut any hardwood such as aspen or oak.
• Take the whole tree of correct size for your home.
• Do not cut a larger tree and remove the top of the tree.
• If snow is on the ground, remove snow from around the stump so you can accurately measure the stump and tree height.

All permits are on sold through recreation.gov search Stanislaus National Forest Christmas Tree permit  https://www.recreation.gov/tree-permits/TP2648

District maps are available at here

“This is a wonderful tradition, and we want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable experience,” Winstead said.

Any questions or concerns should be directed to Forest Public Affairs Officer, Benjamin Cossel: benjamin.cossel@usda.gov or 209.288.6261.