Extended hours offered for Christmas tree permit sales
Photo by SANDY BURKS/ A family carrying a tree together at a holiday tree outing at Gifford Pinchot National Forest, November 2018.
COEUR d’ALENE – The Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District will offer extended hours to sell Christmas tree permits on Saturday, December 7, and Saturday, December 14, from 8:00 am to 4:00 p.m. at the Fernan Office, 2502 E. Sherman Avenue, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The district’s Silver Valley office, 173 Commerce Drive, Smelterville, Idaho, will also be open on Saturday, December 7 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to sell tree permits.
“We recognize that not everyone can make it into our offices during the business week,” said acting Deputy District Ranger Brock Martin. “We hope that by providing additional times for people to buy a tree permit that there will be more opportunities for families to harvest this year’s tree off of the national forest.”
Christmas tree permits cost $5 each, and up to three permits may be purchased per family. The Idaho Panhandle National Forests is pleased to support the Every Kid Outdoors program and provide one FREE Christmas tree permit to every fourth grader. To obtain the free permit, fourth graders need to complete an online activity at www.everykidoutdoors.gov, and present their valid Every Kid Outdoors pass or paper voucher at a local Forest Service office.
As you prepare to search for the perfect tree, be prepared for the cold and winter weather. Dress warmly, carry extra food and hot drinks, and always let someone know your travel plans including destination and expected time of arrival back home. It is your responsibility to know where you can and cannot harvest National Forest Christmas trees. To learn more about regulations prior to cutting your tree, please visit the Christmas Trees link at https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/ipnf/passes-permits. Enjoy the holiday season and your national forest!