RBC I Christmas tree permits are now available from the White River National Forest offices, including the one in Meeker.
The cost per permit is $10 and may be purchased with cash, check or credit card at office locations. There is a maximum of five tree permits per person, and they will be sold through Dec. 23.
Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. with the exception of the Eagle and Holy Cross Ranger Stations. All Forest Service offices will be closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Mail-order permits are now available for the first time by check or money order. Individuals can download and print an online form, fill out the form and mail it with payment to the Supervisor’s Office in Glenwood Springs. Christmas tree permits will be mailed within two to three business days. The mail-order Christmas tree permit form is located here: www.fs.usda.gov/whiteriver and by looking for the “Quick Links ” section located on the upper right-hand side of the page and by clicking the link titled “Christmas Tree Permits”, or by clicking on the “Christmas Tree Cutting on the White River National Forest” feature in the center of the page.
Christmas tree cutting is allowed in most areas on the White River National Forest with the following exceptions: Wilderness areas, Scenic Byways, Glenwood Canyon, the Maroon Bells Scenic Area, commercial timber sale areas, recreation and ski areas, campgrounds, trailheads, developed sites and administrative areas. Trees may not be cut within 100 feet of any road or trail. Maps showing where Christmas tree cutting is allowed are available at all offices where permits are sold and will be provided with permits along with a regulations list.
Trees must be less than 15 feet tall from the stump, may not be greater than 6 inches in diameter at the base of the tree, and the stump height should be no greater than 6 inches high. Trees are for personal use only and cannot be resold. The tags must be attached to the tree at the cutting location and must be left on the tree until it arrives at its final destination.
The Forest Travel Management Plan closes many forest roads prior to or Nov. 23. As a reminder, summer and winter Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs) have been produced for the entire forest and show forest roads, trails and areas that have been designated for closures and over-snow motor vehicle use. Motorized users are responsible for obtaining an MVUM to determine where one can drive, ride and recreate. These maps are free and are available at Ranger Stations or on the Forest website: www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/whiteriver/recreation.
Snow and winter conditions will dictate road access for Christmas tree harvesting. Conditions associated with winter travel on forest roads may include, but are not limited to, heavy snow, ice, soft shoulders and constantly changing road conditions. The White River National Forest does not recommend travel on roads that have not been recently plowed.
In Meeker, the address for the Blanco Ranger Station is 220 East Market Street, and the phone number is 878-4039.
