Denver resident Katelyn Taylor hoped to make a beloved holiday tradition even more special this year.
So she and her family, joined by their friends, hiked through Summit County’s White River National Forest the day after Thanksgiving to cut down a Christmas tree. After roughly two hours of traipsing through the snow in an area north of Silverthorne, the group left with a tree in hand and a story to tell.
“Our motivation was twofold,” Taylor said. “We could get a Christmas tree, but we could also make a memory of it and have an adventure.”
The outing was made possible through the U.S. Forest Service’s Christmas tree permit program, which grants pass-holders the opportunity to cut down their own Christmas tree, with a few caveats.
While permits largely operate the same across Colorado’s forests, there are some differences in pricing and availability. In the White River, the state’s largest national forest that sprawls throughout much of the High Country, permits cost $10 and are limited to five per person. One permit equates to one tree.
According to Rita Frederick, interpretive specialist for the White River National Forest’s Dillon Ranger District, tree cutting must occur at least 100 feet from any road and cannot take place on private land, on ski areas or in designated wilderness boundaries, such as Eagle’s Nest Wilderness in Summit and Eagle counties.
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Most trees, such as lodgepole pine and Douglas fir, are fair game. The only tree species that is off limits is the Colorado blue spruce, which is characterized by its flat, soft needles and bluish hue. Other rules include ensuring the tree is less than 15 feet tall and 6 inches or less in diameter at the stump.
“We kind of like to say these are Charlie Brown-looking Christmas trees,” Frederick said. “These are natural trees growing outside and aren’t always going to be that perfect-looking tree.”
Permits can be purchased in-person at ranger district stations or online at Recreation.gov. In-person permits consist of a sticker tag that will wrap around a tree with inch lines that can help ensure the tree meets the size requirements. For permits purchased online, Frederick recommends bringing a way to measure the tree stump.
The White River National Forest is just one of several in Colorado that allows Christmas tree cutting. More information, including national forest maps as well as permit pricing and availability, can be found online at tinyurl.com/USFSTreePermits.
The Forest Service wants permit holders to cut their trees as close to the ground as possible, which could mean being prepared to dig through some snow. That’s why, in addition to a hand saw, a shovel and a sled are useful tools to consider, Frederick said.
In addition to offering a fun holiday venture, Frederick said the program serves an environmental purpose, too.
“This helps to thin out the forest and have some fuel reduction,” Frederick said. “When there’s areas with lots and lots of trees, it makes it easier for fire to move through. So when other people help us out with that, it mitigates those risks.”
Taylor, whose family cut down their tree over the Thanksgiving weekend, said there are a few more tips and tricks to keep in mind.
“If you’re willing to hike in a little bit deeper, there’s often more options of trees to pick from,” she said.
Even when you’ve stumbled upon a tree you like, it may not be what you go home with, Taylor said. The first tree Taylor’s husband attempted to cut was too curved and wouldn’t fit well into a stand, so the family had to keep searching, she said.
When they finally did bring a tree back to their car, Taylor said the family placed a tarp on the top of their vehicle to help catch any sap that may have trickled off the tree. And when it comes to strapping it down, Taylor said it’s always worth a speed check in your car to ensure the tree is tied down correctly and doesn’t become airborne on the highway.
Having the right expectation for your tree is also important, Taylor said, adding that some trees may be more scrawny and others could have patches without branches.
But “the ornaments fill in the gaps,” she said.
Ultimately, finding the ideal tree isn’t the most important part.
Taylor said what made the experience so special was having family and friends by her side. Her three children, who brought sleds, stopped at various points along their hike to slide down a snow-covered hill. Taylor’s friends, who came as their own family, all shared snacks and hot chocolate to keep them warm and their spirits high.
“I always find — with my younger kids — they forget that they’re hiking when they have friends along,” she said.
