On November 30, 2018

U.S. Forest Service offers $5 cut-your-own trees

RUTLAND — At this time of year the adventure of going out to get a Christmas tree is a much-anticipated ritual of the season — and a pricey one. There is an alternative, however. Should they be interested, the U.S. Forest Service officials in Vermont offer the public Christmas tree removal permits for $5. A family can start a new tradition of making the trek into the National Forest to choose their tree.

This year, all fourth graders can take advantage of the Every Kid in a Park initiative and get a free Christmas tree voucher by going to everykidinapark.gov. Fourth graders that present a printed copy of the voucher may redeem it for an EKIP Pass and a Christmas tree removal permit at one of the U.S. Forest offices, located in Rutland, Manchester and Rochester. Christmas trees for personal use may be cut on the Green Mountain National Forest, subject to the following conditions:

A “Christmas Tree Removal” permit must be purchased ($5.00) at one of the Forest Service offices located in Rutland, Manchester Center, or Rochester, Vt.

The permit must be attached to the tree before transporting it from the site where it was cut.

The permit holder is responsible for knowing that the tree comes from Forest Service land. Maps are available when purchasing the permit.

Trees over 20 feet tall are not designated for cutting by the Christmas tree permit.

The height of the tree stump left after a tree has been cut should be six inches or less above the soil.

Christmas trees shall not be cut in active timber sales, wilderness areas, campgrounds, picnic areas, or within 25 feet of any Forest Service, town, or state maintained road.

Only one Christmas tree permit will be issued per household per year.

Permits are not refundable.

Trees obtained under the Christmas tree permit may not be resold.

U.S. FOREST SERVICE OFFICES IN VERMONT:

Rutland: Forest Supervisor’s Office, 231 North Main St., Rutland, VT 05701, 802-747-6700.

Manchester Ranger Station: 2538 Depot Street, Manchester Center, VT 05255, 802-362-2307.

Rochester Ranger Station: 99 Ranger Road, Rochester, VT 05767, 802-767-4261.

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

Divided Sky Foundation appoints Dolinsky as its first executive director

January 15, 2025
On Friday, Jan. 10, the Divided Sky Foundation announced the appointment of Seth Dolinsky as its first executive director, marking a significant milestone in the organization’s growth and dedication to expanding its recovery services in Ludlow. Dolinsky, a seasoned expert in behavioral healthcare, brings over a decade of experience managing residential treatment and sober living…

Nationwide data breach affects Vermont student, staff information 

January 15, 2025
By Corey McDonald/VTDigger According to state education officials, the personal data of students and staff at several dozen Vermont school districts may have been compromised in a nationwide data breach of a student information system. PowerSchool, a California-based company that provides a student information system and cloud software used by 39 school districts in Vermont,…

‘Vermont’s most promising jobs’ list features well-paying careers in need of at least 300 workers

January 8, 2025
Phil Scott, the Vermont Dept. of Labor (VDOL), and the McClure Foundation announced the release of Vermont’s Most Promising Jobs list, featuring more than 50 occupations expected to pay a median wage above $30/hour and have at least 300 openings over the next decade.  “We have tens of thousands of jobs available in Vermont,” said Governor Scott. “It’s more important than ever…

State of Vermont launches MoneyBack program to return $1.3 million of unclaimed property to Vermonters

January 8, 2025
On Dec. 18, Governor Phil Scott and Treasurer Mike Pieciak announced the launch of the MoneyBack Program, a partnership to proactively return unclaimed property to Vermonters whose identity and address can be verified via Tax Department data. The program will rightfully return a total of nearly $1.3 million to over 5,000 Vermonters this holiday season.…