Want to cut your own Christmas tree in Arizona? Here's how to get a 2022 permit

Shanti Lerner, Arizona Republic
·2 min read
The U.S. Forest Service issues permits for people to cut their own Christmas trees in Arizona national forests.
The U.S. Forest Service issues permits for people to cut their own Christmas trees in Arizona national forests.

The 2022 holiday season is just around the corner and soon it will be time to decorate. What better way to begin the festivities than by cutting your own Christmas tree? You can do that in an Arizona national forest if you obtain the proper permit.

But it isn’t as simple as heading out and cutting any tree you like. Five Arizona national forests — Apache-Sitgreaves, Coconino, Kaibab, Prescott and Tonto — sell permits online for folks who want to find the perfect tree. Cutting rules and dates vary by forest.

Here’s what to know about cutting your own Christmas in Arizona.

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How do I get an Arizona Christmas tree permit?

The Forest Service issues a limited number of permits that allow people to cut specific types and sizes of trees within designated areas of a forest. You can see maps of cutting areas at https://www.recreation.gov.

The website will give you plenty of information on how to obtain a permit, the rules for cutting and how to plan your trip. Go online and search for the forest you're interested in.

Sale dates, permit costs and the number of trees per customer vary by forest.

Here are the 2022 dates and prices for Christmas tree permits in Arizona national forests.

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Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests

  • Christmas tree cutting permits are on sale now.

  • Cutting dates are Oct. 13-Dec. 31.

  • A permit costs $15.

  • Three trees per customer.

  • Tree height: 10 feet maximum.

Coconino National Forest

  • Permits go on sale Nov. 10.

  • Customers choose between the Flagstaff and Mogollon ranger districts.

  • Cutting dates are Nov. 18-Dec. 31.

  • A permit costs $15.

  • One tree per customer.

  • Tree height: 10 feet maximum.

Kaibab National Forest

  • Permits are on sale now.

  • Customers choose among the Williams, Tusayan and North Kaibab ranger districts.

  • Cutting dates are Nov. 1- Dec. 31

  • A permit costs $15 per tree.

  • Each customer is allowed five trees.

  • Tree height: 10 feet maximum.

Prescott National Forest

  • Permits are sold out for Prescott National Forest.

  • Cutting dates are Nov. 1-Dec. 31.

  • A permit costs $20.

  • One tree per customer.

  • Tree height: 10 feet maximum.

Tonto National Forest

  • Permits go on sale Nov. 1.

  • Cutting dates are Nov. 19-Dec. 31.

  • A permit costs $15.

  • One tree per customer.

  • Tree height: 10 feet maximum.

You can connect with Arizona Republic Culture and Outdoors Reporter Shanti Lerner through email at shanti.lerner@gannett.com  or you can also follow her on Twitter. 

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Christmas tree permits 2022: How, where to cut your own