Christmas tree cutting from federal lands to begin soon

For $5 or $10, you can enjoy the fun and exercise of cutting down your own Christmas tree - legally - from Bureau of Land Management or Forest Service land, and help thin overstocked areas of the forests at the same time.

White fir, Jeffrey pine and incense cedar trees can be taken from designated areas of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest from Nov. 21 to Dec. 23 at locations across western Nevada and eastern California. These permits are $10, with a limit of two per household.

Pinon pine trees may be cut down from designated BLM lands in the Pine Nut Mountains between Carson City and Yerington; the Clan Alpine and Desatoya Mountains east of Fallon; and the Excelsior Mountains southeast of Hawthorne. These permits are $5, with a limit of two per household, though purchasers may buy permits for another household.

The sales are conducted as a way of thinning the forest to encourage healthy growth of the larger trees as well as to provide recreation for local residents and their families, according to a press release issued jointly by the two agencies.

The non-refundable permits are good through Christmas Day.

Tree cutters are advised to bring their own saws, a first-aid kit, extra food and water and heavy rope or chain. They should also wear warm clothing and carry a shovel and tire chains in case of bad weather or road conditions.

There will be 3,500 permits available.

Where to go for tree-cutting permits:

Tree permits may be obtained at the following locations:

For Forest Service trees (white fir, Jeffrey pine and incense cedar)

8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday

•Carson Ranger District Office

1536 South Carson St.

Carson City, NV 89701

(775) 882-2766

•Humbolt-Toiyabe National Forest Supervisor's Office

1200 Franklin Way

Sparks, NV 89431

(775) 331-6444

•Alpine County Chamber of Commerce

9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

3 Webster St.

Markleeville, CA 96120

(530) 694-2475.

COST: $10, limit two per household

Permits for BLM (pinon pine) trees may be purchased at the following locations:

•BLM-Carson City Field Office*

7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday

5665 Morgan Mill Road

Carson City, NV 89701

(775) 885-6000

•BLM-Nevada State Office*

9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday

1340 Financial Blvd.

Reno, NV 89520-0006

861-6500

•USDA Farm Service Agency, Hickey Building

1702 Country Road, Se 1A

Minden NV 89423

(775) 782-3661

•Douglas County Sheriff Substations**

North Valley (775) 267-3692

Topaz Ranch Estates (775) 266-1028

Tillman

(775) 265-7090

* Both the Interagency Information Center in Reno and the BLM-Carson City Field Office will accept phone credit card orders, or check/credit card mail orders.

** Checks only, no cash