The Mt. Hood National Forest is selling personal use Christmas tree cutting permits at ranger district offices as well as select local vendors.
Permits sell for $5 each, cash or check only, and there is a limit of five permits per household. When purchasing your permit you will get an informational sheet that details the rules of cutting Christmas trees in the national forest. The permits allow cutting a tree of up to 12 feet tall. Permits for trees taller than 12 feet are available at forest district offices for an additional cost.
Winter weather in the forest can change rapidly. Forest Service roads are not plowed. Carry traction devices and be advised of winter road closures and Sno-Park permit requirements. The Forest Service recommends you start early in the day and be out of the forest before dark. Dress warmly and bring a forest map, snacks and water. Also make sure relatives or friends know where you are going and when you plan to return.
And dont forget a tool to cut your tree and rope or cord to secure it to your vehicle.
The Mt. Hood National Forest also offers free bough permits for up to 25 pounds of boughs, and commercial bough permits for larger quantities. Bough permits are available only at Mt. Hood National Forest district offices and are required to harvest boughs.
Christmas tree permits are available at the following locations:
Clackamas River Ranger District, 595 N.W. Industrial Way, Estacada, 503-630-6861, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (closed 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for lunch). Special holiday hours from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 1 and 8, and Sundays, Dec. 2 and 9.
Zigzag Ranger District, 70220 E. Highway 26, Zigzag, 503-622-3191, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (closed noon to 1 p.m. for lunch). Special holiday hours from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 1, 8 and 15, and Sundays Dec. 2, 9 and 16.
Ace Heritage Hardware, 39181 Pioneer Blvd., Sandy, 503-668-8731, open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Estacada Tackle Shop, 210 S.E. Highway 26, Estacada, 503-630-7424, open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, closed on Thanksgiving.
Hoodland Thriftway, 68280 E. Highway 26, Welches, 503-622-3244, open daily 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.