Christmas Tree Gathering

Download our Christmas Tree cutting brochure

Fees and Season Dates

• Saturday, November 15, 2022 to December 31, 2022
  • $10 per tree
• Free for 4^th graders who have an Every Kid Outdoors voucher or pass.
  • Vouchers can be obtained from everykidoutdoors.gov.
• Where to purchase permits
  • Online at www.recreation.gov – search for Klamath National Forest Christmas Tree Permit
• Maximum of 5 trees.

Where to Cut Your Tree

• Please respect privately owned property. Make sure the tree you cut is on Klamath National Forest lands and is outside of designated Wilderness, Botanical Areas, or Geologic Areas.
• Maps of the tree cutting areas can be found on www.recreation.gov.
• Digital maps for mobile devices or more detailed color maps of the Forest are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/klamath/maps-pubs
• Here are popular places to find a tree:
  • Deer Mountain - elevation 6, 000 ft.: on the Forest’s east side one hour from Yreka. The area is off Forest Road 19, which is regularly plowed up to the Deer Mountain Snowmobile Park. Tree types: White fir & Red fir (on Picadilly Ridge).
  • Willow Creek Mountain - elevation 6,200 ft.: on the Forest’s East side a half-hour from Macdoel, west of Martin’s Dairy Campground. Tree types: White fir & Red fir.
  • Deadwood Creek - elevation 3,600 ft.: half-hour west of Yreka off Forest Road 45N49. Tree types: Douglas fir, Ponderosa pine and Incense cedar. 
  • Carter Meadows Summit - elevation 6,000 ft: 15-minutes from Callahan. We recommend areas north of County Rd. 1C02 in the summit area because the River Complex Fire burned in areas south of the road. Tree types: Red fir near the summit; White fir, Douglas fir, Ponderosa pine, and Incense cedar near Carter Meadows.
  • Etna Summit – elevation 6,000 ft: 15-minutes from Etna off County Rd. 1C01 (Sawyer’s Bar Rd.). Tree types: Red fire and White fir.
  • Mt. Ashland area – elevation above 5,000 ft: 45-minutes north of Yreka off Mt. Ashland Ski Road.

How to Plan Your Trip

• Before you leave home, be sure to measure the space where you plan to place the tree in your home (height and width) and measure the space in/on your vehicle where you will be transporting the tree.
• Cell service may be spotty or unavailable. Be sure someone knows where you are going and when to expect you back.
• Check the latest weather conditions, Forest Alerts, and road closures before you leave on your trip. https://www.fs.usda.gov/klamath/
• Bring a map with you. Don’t rely on GPS because it may not be up to date on Forest Service roads.
• Let someone know where you are going and your estimated return time.
• Roads may not be plowed. Carry tire chains, shovel(s) and a tow chain. Be sure your vehicle has a full tank of gas.
• Tools to bring: measuring tape to select a tree that fits in your home; handsaw to cut your tree; gloves to protect your hands; boots to protect your feet; a tarp to sit on and/or to move your tree once it's cut; and rope or straps to secure your tree to your vehicle.
• Fuel up your vehicle.
• Dress warmly and take extra dry clothes. Expect winter weather, including cold temperatures, snow, and winds.
• Bring plenty of food and water with you as well as a first aid kit and an overnight survival kit in case you become stranded.
• Bring a spare key and give it to someone else in your party. Don’t get locked out of your car!
• Park in areas so that traffic can get by safely, and do not block gates.
• Start your day early. Be sure to find your tree and leave the woods before dark.
• Please keep your pets on a leash at all times.

Selecting Your Tree

• Tree cutting is not permitted…
  • In Botanical Special Interest Areas,
  • In Geologic Special Interest Areas,
  • On any recreation or administrative site (such as a campground),
  • Within 300 feet of flowing streams, or
  • 150 feet of dry creek-beds.
• The forest has five trees that are popular for Christmas trees—Red fire, White fir, Douglas fir, Ponderosa pine, and Incense cedar.
• Do not cut isolated trees growing in the open.
• Choose a tree from a dense forested area, which will give the remaining trees more space to grow.
• Select a tree with needles that do not pull easily from its branches or break when gently bent.

Helpful Cutting Tips

• Do not cut trees over 4 inches in diameter.
• Remove snow from around the stump so you can accurately measure the stump and tree height. Cut as close to the ground as practical, leaving a flat stump no more than 12 inches high from the ground. Cut the leftover branches from the stump and scatter them.
• Do not cut tree trunk at an angle. This leaves a sharp, pointed stump that becomes a safety hazard.
• Take the whole tree. Do not remove only the top of the tree.