By Melissa Wynn
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!