In the forest you can cut down your own Christmas tree, just like in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation — and it will certainly be far less disastrous!
Some US National Forests issue Christmas tree permits to anyone who wants to hunt and cut their own evergreen for the holiday season, for much less than buying a pre-cut tree from a stand.
According to the National Christmas Tree Association, approximately 25-30 million real Christmas trees are sold in the US each year, and the average price as of 2022 is about $80.
However, a Christmas tree permit from the US National Forests can cost as little as $5, depending on which park you visit. For example, in Florida’s Ocala National Forest, a permit costs $10, and with the permit a visitor can cut up to five trees, according to Good morning Americawhose chief meteorologist Ginger Zee visited for a feature broadcast on Tuesday.
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“If you’re on a budget, come here and get your Christmas tree,” said forester Jared Nobles of the Ocala National Forest. Zee. “It’s an adventure.”
However, he admitted that one of the drawbacks is that the type of wrinkles people can get depends on the area in which they live. In the Ocala National Forest, for example, visitors can find and cut down a sand pine, which is smaller than a typical Christmas tree.
The permit service is also only available in US National Forest Parks in some states (mostly in the West), including Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, West Virginia, Vermont, New Hampshire and Florida.
Nobles also take note. that cutting down trees is mutually beneficial to US National Forest areas because it clears some areas for other trees to grow.
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“By thinning smaller diameter trees, you allow larger diameter trees to grow,” Nobles said. He added that it also helps build resistance to insect diseases, prevents forest fires and helps endangered tree species.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service first announced the permits in October, citing the convenience for people who live near national forests.
“Going to a local national forest to find that special tree is an experience that creates treasured family memories and stories,” USDA Forest Service Chief Randy Moore said in a news release. “Through these experiences, people make important connections with the forest that can lead to lifelong adventures and instill a commitment to stewardship.”
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Officials noted that permit holders will have to follow the rules of their permit, which include details such as “a map of the logging area, the types of trees to be logged and important planning advice.” Their website also notes that each forest will have specific guidelines and season dates for cutting the holiday tree.
For more information, people can visit recreation.gov/tree-permits.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education