Forest Christmas tree tags available

Christmas Tree tags will be available Nov. 12 through Dec. 24 at Forest Service offices in western South Dakota and northeast Wyoming.

 The Black Hills National Forest is also excited to continue the Fourth Grade Free Christmas Tree Program again this holiday season.

Fourth graders are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit through the Every Kid Outdoors initiative. Every Kid Outdoors is a nationwide call to action to build the next generation of conservationists. All fourth graders are eligible to receive a fourth grade pass that allows free access to federal lands and waters across the country for a full year.

In order for students to receive a free Christmas tree permit, they must present a valid 4th Grade pass or paper voucher printed from the Every Kid Outdoors website: https://everykidoutdoors.gov. To obtain the voucher, visit the website, click on the “Get your pass” button and follow the instructions. Print out the paper voucher and bring it with you to a District Office or the Supervisor’s Office on the Black Hills National Forest.

White spruce, ponderosa pine and western juniper are available and can be cut in many parts of the National Forest.

Each permit is accompanied by a handout with guidance about appropriate tree removal. Trees may not be cut in developed recreation sites, Forest Service administrative sites, active timber sales, the Black Hills Experimental Forest near Rochford, the Black Elk Wilderness, the Beaver Park area near Sturgis or within Spearfish Canyon.

Individual permits cost $10, up to a maximum of five permits is allowed per individual and the maximum allowable height of cut trees is 20 feet. Permits require that you cut the entire tree, leaving no more than six inches of stump, and that you cut unused branches so they lay flat on the ground.

The adhesive permit tag must be attached before a tree is removed from the cutting area; a citation can be issued for possession of a cut-but-untagged tree, even if a tag is available in person or in your vehicle.

Trees should be placed in water as soon as possible to help keep needles fresh. Once indoors, trees should be placed away from stoves, heaters or heating ducts. After Christmas, used trees should be disposed of properly as yard waste. Do not dump used trees on national forest land.

There are no refunds for uncut trees or unused permits. Please note that Forest Service offices will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. Dec. 24 is the last day permits will be sold at Forest Service offices. Private vendors may sell tags until Dec. 24 (where open).

Tags are available by mail from the Forest Supervisor’s Office, 1019 North 5th Street, Custer, SD, 57730. Enclose a check or money order in the amount of $10 for each tree permit, up to a maximum of five trees per individual as well as a self-addressed stamped envelope. The Forest Service will mail tags and cutting instructions.

Permits are available at the following Forest Service locations:

Forest Supervisor’s Office and Hell Canyon Ranger District – Custer, Hell Canyon Ranger District – Newcastle, Mystic Ranger District – Rapid City, Northern Hills Ranger District – Spearfish, Bearlodge Ranger District – Sundance, Fall River Ranger District – Hot Springs.

Christmas tree permits may also be available from the following private vendors: Minitman Too – Spearfish, Cenex Convenience Store – Sturgis, Deadwood History & Information Center – Deadwood, Sundance Travel Center – Sundance, RC Hardware – Rapid City, Heart of the Hills Exxon C-Store – Hill City, Heart of the West Conoco – Hill City, Custer Ace Hardware – Custer.

For more information on the Black Hills National Forest, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills.