By Melissa Wynn

bigstockphoto

It is time once again for my favorite winter  outing, cutting the family Christmas tree. I know it would be easier to go buy one from a lot or ,heaven forbid, put up an artificial tree. What fun is there in that? In our neck of the woods Christmas tree cutting means the last picnic of the year. Instead of cold chicken and iced tea like the summer picnic we like to pack a basket of thermoses filled with delights like a spicy chili and hot chocolate. The children love helping choose a tree and a picnic is much more fun than a ride in the car to choose a tree all bound with twine that you can’t really see until you have it home, paid for and unwrapped. Boring!  Bundle up, grab the saw, fill your thermoses and have an adventure. After all, that is why we choose to live Mountain Valley Living style.

Tree cutting permits cost a mere ten dollars and can be purchased at many locations including

  • Beckwourth Ranger Station
    23 Mohawk Road in Blairsden
  • Hallelujah Junction General Store
    Highway 395/Highway 70
  • Williams House Museum/
    Portola Visitor Center
    424 E Sierra Avenue in Portola
  • River Pines Resort
    Hwy 89, 1/4 mile N of Graeagle
  • Mt. Hough Ranger District
    39696 Hwy. 70
    3 miles north of Quincy
  • Greenville Forest Service
    Information & Work Center
    128 Hot Springs Rd in Greenville
  • Almanor Ranger District
    900 East Hwy 36
    Chester
  • Eagle Lake Ranger District
    477-050 Eagle Lake Rd
    Susanville

Permits are also available by mailing a self addressed stamped envelope along with your ten dollar payment to

Lassen National Forest Headquarters
Christmas Tree Permit
2550 Riverside Drive
Susanville, Ca 96130

or

Plumas National Forest

Christmas Tree Permit
P.O. Box 11500
Quincy,  CA 95971

Remember, winter weather in the Sierra is unpredictable so dress in layers and be prepared. Your tree cutting adventure awaits!