MENDOCINO Co., 10/31/19 — Looking for the perfect tree to hang your Christmas decorations on? There are plenty to be found in the Mendocino National Forest, and with a $10 permit, you and the family can go on a tree-cutting adventure to select just the right one — and every fourth grader is eligible for a free tree.
Permits are limited on per household and are available first-come, first serve, and permit you to cut one tree in the Mendocino National Forest anytime between November 1 and December 31. Permits available at the Covelo and Upper Lake Ranger stations, at M&M Feed and Keith’s Market in Covelo, at the Hi-Way Grocery in Upper Lake, and by mail until December 14.
Here’s all the details from the USFS:
Mendocino National Forest to offer Christmas tree permits starting Nov. 1
WILLOWS, Calif. – Oct. 30, 2019. Christmas tree permits will be available for purchase at Mendocino National Forest offices Friday, Nov. 1 through Monday, Dec. 23. The $10.00 permit allows the holder to cut one tree in designated areas on the Mendocino National Forest until December 24. All offices will be closed on Thanksgiving Day Nov. 28 but will be open Friday, Nov. 29.
Permits are limited to one per household and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Permits are good for this year only. Individuals may also purchase a permit by mail until Dec. 14; mail-in requests received after December 14 will not be filled. The Mail Order Form is posted on the forest website: http://tinyurl.com/h8x4hwd.
As part of the Every Kid Outdoors initiative, all fourth graders are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit upon presenting a valid fourth grade pass. The pass allows free access to federal lands and waters across the country for a full year. To obtain a free Christmas tree permit, the fourth grader must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and present their fourth grade pass or paper voucher. For more information about this initiative and how to obtain a fourth grade pass, please visit https://everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm
Christmas tree permits will be available at the following:
Mendocino National Forest Supervisor’s Office/Grindstone Ranger District Office
825 N. Humboldt Ave., Willows, CA 95988
(530) 934-3316
Hours: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Stonyford Work Center
5171 Stonyford-Elk Creek Road, Stonyford, CA, 95979
(530) 963-3128
Page 2 – Christmas tree sales
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Covelo Ranger Station
78150 Covelo Road, Covelo, CA 95428
(707) 983-6118
Hours beginning Nov. 12: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Upper Lake Ranger Station
10025 Elk Mountain Road, Upper Lake, CA 95485
(707) 275-2361
Hours: Monday – Friday 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-4:30 p.m.
Paskenta Work Station
13280 Paskenta Road, Paskenta, CA 96074
(530) 833-5544
Hours: Saturday, Nov. 30, Dec. 7, Dec. 14, and Dec. 21 ONLY 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (cash or check only)
Permits may also be available from the following vendors; please call ahead for availability:
Sacramento River Discover Center (within the Red Bluff Recreation Area)
1000 Sale Lane, Red Bluff, CA 96080
(530) 527-1196
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Hi-Way Grocery – Upper Lake
(707) 275-2380
Hours: Monday – Saturday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sunday 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
M&M Feed and Supply – Covelo
(707) 983-6273
Hours: Monday – Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Keith’s Family Foods – Covelo
(707) 983-6633
Hours: Seven days a week 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Christmas tree cutting in the National Forest is a chance to take the family out into the woods and cut a tree the old-fashioned way. For more information, including tree cutting tips, please see the forest website http://tinyurl.com/h5o8h3h or call 530-934-3316.
