CUISINE & CULTURE
ELLEN PEFFLEY
Thiscolumnmaynot
be the typical gardening topic, but for those of us who prefer live over plastic, those who consider environmental awareness important, and those of us who appreciate regenerating forests, today’s column may be of interest to you. The government website www.recreation.gov has announced that seasonal permits for cutting Christmas trees are being issued.
Maintaining a healthy forest has long-term positive effects on the environment. Some may believe that it is never wise to thin a forest, but recent horrific fires in the Western United States is evidence that it is prudent to properly maintain a forest. Towards that end, the U.S. Forest Service has made it possible for individuals to harvest their personal Christmas tree on federal lands.
Selecting and harvesting a Christmas tree can be a fun family project with lasting memories. The closest national forest to West Texans is the Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico. How to obtain a permit follows.
A permit to allow a Christmas tree on the Lincoln National Forest to be cut is needed. Purchase the Christmas tree permit in advance of your visit to the forest, follow tips and guidelines for the cutting area, and ensure you are prepared for a safe and fun forest adventure.
Cost for each permit is $10, plus a $2.50 processing fee. Download the purchase permit from https://www.recreation. gov/camping/gateways/1100. Link next to Lincoln National Forest and follow the prompts. Be sure to read all the guidelines.
The website provides some things you will need to know: Where to cut.
• Designated areas will be provided. Do not cut on private land, in wilderness areas, within 300 feet of a designated campground or trail, within 100 feet of a paved road or in areas that have been planted with new trees.
• The Christmas tree guide and map can be found at https://www.recreation.gov/tree-permits/b853973f-ebbd-11ea-98dd-e638fec…
Selecting tree to be harvested.
• Tree must be 10 feet or smaller, unless you bought a special permit at one of the ranger stations.
• Take the whole tree. Do not remove the top of the tree; cut down the entire tree.
• If snow is on the ground, remove it from around the stump so you can accurately measure the stump and tree height.
• Print and display your permit on the dashboard of your vehicle.
Have a fun outing, enjoy the outdoors and pick the perfect Christmas tree; the whole family can take pride in their tree.
Ellen Peffley Harp, a retired professor of horticulture at Texas Tech University, writes about gardening for several Texas newspapers.
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