You can inexpensively get a fresh Christmas tree for your holiday celebrations, courtesy of the national forest. Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest spokesperson Hilary Markin has details...
"....(CNNF) has Christmas tree permits available. They're $5 per tree with a maximum of five permits per household. Folks are welcome to come into any of our offices ,with the exception of the Northern Great Lakes Visitor's Center in Ashland, and ask for a Christmas tree permit...."
Markin says once you get the permit, you're free to explore....
"....come into our offices. We'll issue them a permit. With that permit they'll get a map and all kinds of information about where they can go to cut that tree and then what species of tree they can select. There are some stipulations with the permit, but we'll give all of that when we come to the office...."
Fourth-graders are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit through the Every Kid in a Park initiative. In order for students to receive a free tree permit, they must present a valid voucher printed from the Every Kid in a Park website. Every Kid in a Park is a national effort encouraging children to visit national parks, forests, public lands and waters.
Markin says fourth-graders represent the nation’s next generation of outdoor stewards. The Forest Service encourages fourth-graders and their families to take part in winter recreation on national forests, including harvesting the family Christmas tree.
The Forest also issues permits for other forest products including balsam boughs, firewood, birch bark, and more. To learn more you're asked to contact the nearest District Ranger Office. CNNF website here.
