BLM and USFS Christmas Tree Sale

CANON CITY, COLORADO... Both the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will be selling Christmas trees this year. Each agency will have specific areas where trees can be cut.

Beginning November 1 through December 23 the BLM will have trees available at specific sites for $8/tree with a limit of 2 trees per household.  Permits will be issued weekdays at - the BLM’s Royal Gorge Field Office in Canon City between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. beginning November 1 and at the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area Visitor Center (719-539-7289) in Salida between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. beginning November 6.   Maps of designated cutting areas are available at both locations and can be picked up with the permit. 

Species available, depending on the cutting area, include: Douglas-Fir, Ponderosa Pine, Pinyon Pine, White Fir and Rocky Mountain juniper.  The sites are located near:  Salida, Howard, Cotopaxi, Texas Creek, Canon City, Penrose and Gardner.  Permits must be purchased before trees can be cut.  Additional information regarding Christmas trees or other Special Forest Products are available from the BLM by contacting Ken Reed (Forester) at 719-269-8576

 For three weekends, the USDA-Forest Service, San Isabel National Forest- San Carlos Ranger District will also be selling Holiday trees in conjunction with the Sangre Snowrunners Snowmobile Club.  Each permit is $10.00 and will be sold on-site November 25-26, December 2-3 and December 9-10 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. only.  The trees are mainly native white fir and may not be as well formed as trees found on commercial lots.

The cutting area is in the Wet Mountains.  From Wetmore go 4.2 miles west on Hwy. 96 to Road 387 and turn left, continue on Road 387 about 3.4 miles turn right on to Road 386 (South Hardscrabble Road), continue 1.5 miles to the Forest boundry to the beginning of the tree cutting area.  The area can also be entered from Hwy 165.  There will be directional signs along Hwy 96 and Hwy 165. Trees may only be cut in the designated area.  Chainsaws will not be permitted but a hand saw or axe will be adequate.  Pets should be left at home or kept on a leash 

A Holiday tree cutting information sheet and a map with directions to the U.S. Forest Service area may be picked up at the local office or on the web:  www.fs.fed.us/r2/psicc/sanc   U.S. Forest Service and BLM offices are located at 3170 E. Main Street in Canon City, (719) 269-8500.  The U.S. Forest Service also has an office at 2840 Kachina Dr. in Pueblo (719-553-1400). 

Cutting your own Christmas tree can be fun, but be prepared for winter conditions, there is more snow in the high country than in town.  Plan to do some walking through snow to get your tree and make sure everyone in your party has warm clothes and boots. Pack emergency supplies, carry the appropriate map and leave word with friends or relatives of your planned destination. Take a vehicle equipped for winter conditions with 4-wheel drive, snow tires or chains and start early, since winter days are shorter.  Remember, tree cutting is only permitted in specified areas, no cutting or trespassing on private land!

-BLM-