Cut Your Own Christmas Tree

With some restrictions, you are allowed to go out in the following forests, find your perfect Christmas tree and cut down with your own hands. The outing is often a great family and friends event.

Christmas tree permits are available over the counter at many Forest Service offices. Supplies are limited. Since not all offices offer Christmas tree permits, and some offices may be sold out, call ahead for more details and to be sure the local office responsible for the area in which you are interested offers permits, and still has them available. Please contact the forest where you intend to cut for availability and details.

• Apache-Sitgreaves - Permits may be purchased at all five ranger districts until December 24.

• Coconino-Permit sales start Friday in mid-November through December 24 for designated cutting areas in designated areas of the Flagstaff and Mogollon Rim ranger districts. (928) 527-3600

• Coronado- Christmas tree permits for Douglas Ranger District on the Coronado National Forest go on sale in mid-November. No other districts offer Christmas Tree Permits.

Douglas Ranger District: (520) 388-8436

• Kaibab-The Kaibab National Forest is selling over-the-counter and through-the-mail Christmas tree tags on a first-come, first-served basis beginning mid-November through December 24.

-North Kaibab Ranger District: (928) 643-7395

-Tusayan Ranger District: (928) 638-2443

-Williams Ranger District: (928) 635-5600

• Prescott- Permits will be available beginning Saturday in mid-November on the Bradshaw and Chino Valley Ranger Districts, and on the following Monday at the Verde Ranger District: (928) 443-8000

• Tonto- Permits go on sale in mid-November. Each Christmas tree permit is $15 (2018 price) and can be purchased at one of four locations on the Tonto.

Tree Species

• The Kaibab National Forest (pinon or juniper)

• Prescott National Forest (any species of tree)

• Tonto National Forest (pinon or juniper)

Certain Restrictions

You must have a permit to cut a Christmas tree. A limited number of permits are granted each year . Trees may be cut between mid-November and December 24, but go early; do not wait to get your permit.

Forest Information

The Tonto National Forest sells out of Christmas Tree Permits by the end of November every year. Once all 2,000 permits available have been sold, the Payson Ranger District Office will not be open

• The permit allows cutting one tree under 10 feet tall, per residence, per year.

• You may harvest a tree for someone else if you have their permit with you

• No tree harvested under this program may be sold.

For more information, you may call the Christmas tree hotline at (602) 225-5258.

The Coconino National Forest will begin selling Christmas tree tags in mid-November, at three locations:

• 300 tags will be available at the Mogollon Rim Ranger Station,

• 200 tags will be available at the Flagstaff Ranger Station, and

• 100 tags will be available at the Forest Supervisor's Office in Flagstaff.

Visit the Coconino National Forest Christmas Tree Permits page for additional details.

The Coronado National Forest will begin selling Christmas tree permits on Tuesday, in mid-November, at the Douglas Ranger District. Please contact the Douglas Ranger District at (520) 364-3468 for additional information.

The Kaibab National Forest will begin selling Christmas tree tags in mid-November, at three locations:

• 800 tags will be available at the North Kaibab Ranger District

• 500 tags will be available at the Tusayan Ranger District

• 500 tags will be available at the Williams Ranger District.

Visit Kaibab National Forest Christmas Tree Permit page for additional details.

The Prescott National Forest will begin selling Christmas tree permits on Saturday, in mid-Novemberat two locations:

• 300 permits available at the Bradshaw Ranger District

• 100 permits available at the Chino Valley Ranger Station

• 100 permits available at the Verde Ranger District (starting Monday November 21, 2016)

Visit the Prescott National Forest Christmas Tree Permit page for additional details.

The Tonto National Forest will begin selling Christmas tree permits on Wednesday, mid-November, at the following locations:

• 500 permits at the Tonto Supervisor's Office

• 500 permits at the Mesa Ranger District

• 500 permits at the Cave Creek Ranger District

• 475 at the Payson Ranger District, and

• 25 at the Pleasant Valley Ranger District.

Visit the Tonto National Forest Christmas Tree page for additional details.