MENDOCINO CO., 11/28/24 – The holiday season is here and across the region families will make the trek to Mendocino National Forest to pick out and cut down the perfect Christmas tree.
If you want to join in the fun, the national forest has permits at a reasonable cost so you can claim your tree.
How to buy your permit
Permits cost $10, and you can bring home up to three trees. Permits are available online, in person and by mail. One permit is allowed per household. Permits are available in limited quantities.
Online permits can be purchased at recreation.gov with a $2.50 transaction fee added to your total. Online purchases require you to print out your permit and put it on your dashboard when you park.
Permits for trees can also be purchased at forest offices in Covelo, Upper Lake, Stonyford and Willows. In Covelo, M&M Feed (74540 Hill Road), Keith’s Family Foods (76201 Covelo Road) and the Covelo Volunteer Fire Department (75900 Covelo Road) have permits for sale.
Permits can also be purchased via mail order using the form here.
If you are the parent or guardian of a fourth grader with an Every Kid in a Park pass, your family can receive one free Christmas tree tag.
You’ll need a special map
A Christmas tree cutting map is also required, as it isn’t a free-for-all. The national forest designates specific areas for cutting down trees. Given that much of the forest is without cell service, the national forest advises you to download and print out a map, which you can download here.
Prevent the spread of sudden oak death
Coming from out of the region? According to the national forest, trees cut in Mendocino and Lake counties can only be transported to other counties that have sudden oak death quarantines. This includes Alameda, Contra Costa, Humboldt, Marin, Monterey, San Francisco, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano and Sonoma.
Other tips are available here or by calling (530) 934-3316.