The Lincoln National Forest will begin selling Christmas Tree permits Monday, Nov. 13, for $10 each – only one per household.
A limited number of permits will be available to be sold on a first-come first-served basis. An individual may purchase up to four permits for four separate households. The last day to purchase a permit is Dec. 22 while offices are open and permits are available.
Lincoln National Forest offices will be selling permits during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. District Offices are open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and the Supervisor’s Office in Alamogordo is open until 4:30 pm. As an added convenience, all four Lincoln National Forest offices will also be open on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm; (Nov 25, Dec 2, 9, 16). Office locations/phone numbers:
Supervisor’s Office; 3463 Las Palomas Rd.; Alamogordo, NM 88310 575-434-7200
Smokey Bear District; 901 Mechem Dr.; Ruidoso, NM 88345 575-257-4095
Sacramento District; 4 Lost Lodge Rd; Cloudcroft, NM 88317 575-682-2551
Guadalupe District; 5203 Buena Vista Dr.; Carlsbad, NM 88220 575-885-4181
Additionally, all fourth graders are eligible for a free Christmas Tree permit, while supplies last, through the Every Kid in a Park (EKIP) initiative. Fourth-graders with an EKIP pass may receive a free Christmas Tree permit as long as they have their fourth grade pass or paper voucher and are accompanied by a parent or guardian. To learn more about the EKIP pass, please visit: www.everykidinapark.gov
With a permit, a tree may be cut from most areas within the Lincoln National Forest, except from a “wilderness” or designated “closed” area. When purchasing your permit and filling out the application, you will be asked to identify the area that you plan to harvest your tree from. To learn more about the types of trees in the area, view our guide, “Common Tree Types” to help you with your choice. The guide is also available on our website at: www.fs.usda.gov/lincoln.
Please be good stewards and make sure that your Christmas tree is harvested only from US Forest Service lands, as shown on the map that accompanies the permit. Remember, the last day to cut a tree is December 25th.
For more information contact the Lincoln National Forest at 575-434-7200 or visit www.fs.usda.gov/lincoln.
