Dozens Take Advantage of National Forest Christmas Tree Permits
Associated Press
Want to find that perfect Christmas tree this year? Better get to it. Dozens of families have already taken advantage of $10 Christmas tree permits that are on sale at national forests in New Mexico.
"Wednesday we did a very brusque business. We sold almost $700 worth of permits,'' Jim Gormally, a customer service representative for Cibola National Forest, said Friday.
Carson National Forest sold 28 permits Wednesday. Figures were unavailable for Santa Fe National Forest, but permit sales statewide around Thanksgiving were comparable to past years, forest officials said.
Karen Carter, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Forest Service's regional office in Albuquerque, said tree size is limited in part because of forest health and partly for the safety of the person cutting it down.
And, as those who've had to cut additional chunks from tree trunks in their driveways can attest to, "we're trying to keep people aware of what size really fits in one's house,'' Carter said.
Most permits cost $10 for a tree 10 feet and under. In the Carson National Forest, trees under five feet cost $5, trees from 11 to 15 feet are $10 and trees from 16 to 20 feet are $20.
Permits can be purchased at ranger district offices, forest supervisor's offices and some private vendors. For those heading to the Manzanos, the Red Canyon Campground will be closed due to the Ojo Peak Fire.
Forest employees say they routinely run into people who have been cutting their own trees for 20 years, making it a family affair with hot chocolate, a picnic and a long trek through the forest. However, people should be prepared for changing weather with tire chains or all-wheel drive vehicles, warm clothes, water and food and a flashlight.
Forest employees also had some other advice for Christmas trees hunters.
Gormally said the Jemez Mountains have an abundance of blue spruce, which many think of as the quintessential Christmas tree, but the White fir has space between its branches to better show off ornaments.
Dolores Maese of Santa Fe National Forest said she thinks the White fir has the best shape, but her family prefers the pinon for its "piney'' smell.
"It brings the outdoors inside,'' she said.
Carter said those who are considering abandoning urban Christmas tree lots in favor of forest trees should be aware that they aren't grown or pruned to become living room centerpieces.
"In my mind, they have more character,'' Carter said. "They sometimes are a Charlie Brown Christmas tree.''
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