Christmas tree permits now available for Flathead Forest

Christmas tree permits from the Flathead National Forest are available for $5 each from Forest Service Offices in Kalispell, Hungry Horse, and Bigfork, and from a variety of vendors across the valley.  

Each permit is valid for one tree and there is a maximum of three permits per household, according to a news release from Flathead National Forest. Commercial permits are not available.    

The forest has an abundant choice of trees from which to choose. Trees may not be cut in campgrounds or other developed areas, plantations, previously thinned stands and areas posted closed to Christmas tree cuttings. The permit must be fastened around the tree trunk prior to transporting the tree from the forest.  

People are asked to trees three to four inches in diameter or less at the stump. The stump should be cut as close to the ground as possible, 8 inches or shorter. Do not cut the top of a tree or leave live limbs attached to the stump.

The Christmas tree permit is only for National Forest lands. There are other privately owned and industry-owned lands in the Flathead Valley area that may not allow Christmas tree cutting, so check the ownership of the land before you cut a Christmas tree.  

For a permit or more information about cutting Christmas trees on the Flathead National Forest, contact a local Forest Service Office:

n Tally Lake Ranger District/Supervisor’s Office, 758-5208.                

n Hungry Horse/Glacier View and Spotted Bear Ranger Districts, 387-3800.

n Swan Lake Ranger District, 837-7500.

Permits also are available at the following places:

n Snappy Sport Senter, Kalispell.

n Kelly Rae’s Conoco, Kalispell .

n Mike’s Conoco, Columbia Falls, Hungry Horse and Whitefish .

n Local Joes Gas & Grub (Conoco), Bigfork.

n Ronan Power Products, Ronan.

n Ronan Sports and Western, Ronan.

n Swan Ecosystem Center, Condon.

n Swan Lake Trading Post, Swan Lake.

n Swan Valley Centre, Condon.

n Mayert Mercantile, Olney.        

n Glacier Center, Coram.

n Bear Track Travel Center, East Glacier.

All Flathead National Forest offices will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. Offices will be open on Friday, Nov. 27, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.