By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
Online Christmas Tree Permits are available from the Monongahela National Forest, the USDA Forest Service announced. The Season for harvesting trees runs through Wed, Dec 31, 2025.
Purchase of a permit is available online at Recreation.gov or in person at the closest Monongahela National Forest district office or Supervisors Office during office hours to purchase a permit with cash. Fees for this year’s trees are $5.00 per tree with a one tree limit.
Fourth Graders with an Every Kid Outdoors Pass are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit and can apply by entering the pass or voucher number when purchasing a permit. There is, however a $2.50 reservation fee applied.
Christmas tree cutting is only allowed in Greenbrier, Marlinton and Gauley Ranger Districts, according to the Recreation.gov site. The permits are also district specific. Permits cannot be purchased for one district and used on another. The site cautions the public to know where they intend to cut a tree and purchase a permit for that specific district.
The site also cautions the public not to cut trees on private land, Wildernesses, designated campgrounds, special areas, recreation sites or existing tree plantations. Also avoid cutting in active timber sales or areas that have been planted with new trees.
In regards to private property, the Forest Service cautions that private property is intermixed with National Forest System lands throughout much of Monongahela National Forest and advises not to trespass when cutting trees. Private property is shown as white on tree maps provided by the Forest Service to aid those with permits.
“Look for and respect private property signage,” the Forest Service said.
Motor vehicles are only allowed on existing roads that are open to the public, the Forest Service said. Absolutely no off-road travel is allowed. Those wishing to cut a tree should be prepared to hike to find a tree and have the ability to get it back to their vehicle. Should it snow, forest roads are not plowed, so be aware of weather conditions and prepare accordingly.
To select a tree, the Forest Service said to make sure that permit holders are not on private land in permitted areas. Those permitted areas are in the Greenbrier Ranger District and outside of prohibited areas on the Gauley or Marlington/White Sulfur Ranger Districts, according to the Forest Service.
Acceptable trees for harvest will have needles, such as pine or spruce, and be the standard “Christmas Tree” variety.
“Do not cut any hemlock trees or hardwood trees, such as oak or maple,” the Forest Service said.
When searching for a tree, select one that has others near it, do not select one that is isolated and growing out in the open, the Forest Service said.
“Choose a tree from a dense grouping to give remaining trees space to grow,” the Forest Service said.
Other regulations to be aware of are: do not cut trees within 100 feet of any road, do not cut trees greater than 4 inches in diameter at breast height (4.5 feet) or taller than 12 feet may be cut and Cut the stump as close to the ground as possible. Should snow be on the ground, the Forest Service suggests removing the snow so that an accurate measure of the stump and tree size can be made when cutting.
When planning to go out to select a tree, the Forest Service also has a few tips for the trip. Before leaving home, make sure to measure the area where the tree will be placed with both height and width to be sure that a properly sized tree will be sourced. Also be sure to measure the vehicle that you will be taking to transport the tree to be sure it will accommodate the size.
When it comes to the permit itself, the Forest Service recommends printing the permit at home and bringing a hard copy along on the tree hunting trip. Be sure to sign and date it before transporting the tree and be prepared to show the permit to a Forest Officer if asked. Also print a hard copy of the Christmas Tree Cutting Area Map of the area in which the tree will be sourced.
“Display the printed permit on the dashboard of your vehicle,” the Forest Service said.
Due to spotty or non-existent phone coverage in the forest, the Forest Service recommends that those seeking trees lets others know where they will be going and when they anticipate returning for safety. Also bring hard copies of maps and do not rely on GPS, Google Maps or other general mapping apps because many are not up to date with Forest Service roads.
Be sure to check weather conditions, forest warnings and road closures before leaving on the trip, the Forest Service recommends. Also dress warmly and take along extra dry clothes. The Forest Service also said to expect winter weather, including cold temperatures, snow and wind.
Forest roads are also not plowed, so be sure to carry tire chains, a shovel and tow chain, the Forest Service recommends, as well as being sure that the vehicle has a full tank of gas. The Forest Service also said it is a good idea to bring a spare key to give to another member of the party in case of lock outs. The Forest Service asked that cars be parked in areas so that traffic can get by safely and do not block gates.
The Forest Service said to start the day early to find a tree and leave the woods by dark. They also said to bring plenty of food and water, as well as an overnight survival kit in case of of stranding.
Some helpful tips for cutting the Forest Service recommends include bringing a measuring tape along to ensure the properly sized tree is selected to fit the home. Also bring a handsaw to cut the tree, as well as gloves to protect your hands and boots for your feet. Once the tree is cut, the Forest Service recommends, cutting the leftover branches from the stump and scattering them.
A tarp to sit on and move the tree once it is cut is also helpful, the Forest Service said, as well as rope or straps to secure the tree to the vehicle. Carry the tree carefully, as dragging will rub off needles and bark, the Forest Service said. Should the tree be too big to transport inside the vehicle, the Forest Service said, be sure to wrap with a tarp or canvas to prevent wind damage before securing to the vehicle.
The Forest Service also cautions tree seekers to only take trees of the correct size for their homes. They ask that permit holders do not cut a tree larger than is needed, only to have the top taken.
The USDA Forest Service says the cutting of Christmas trees in the forest improves forest health. The permit system helps thin densely populated stands of small-diameter trees and assists other trees in designated ares to grow larger. The thinning out of these trees also allows open areas for wildlife to forage, according to the USDA
“Local forest health experts identify areas that benefit from thinning trees that tend to be the perfect size for Christmas trees,” the USDA said.
