Some local folks make harvesting their freshly-cut Christmas tree part of their holiday tradition. Whether on private or public land, the old time custom provides not only family fun, but actually enhances overall forest health.
For example, using a hand saw to cut your tree as close to the ground as possible allows trees around it to thrive. This point is made in the US Forest Service rules and regs for harvesting on public lands, but the guidelines apply in a common sense manner to cutting on private land as well:
• Cut trees with a stump diameter of 6 inches or less.
• Don’t take the top off of a tree. Cut the stump as close to the ground as possible.
• Do not cut trees within 75 feet of any road, trail or body of water.
• Do not trespass on private property. Make sure you’re on National Forest land by downloading the interactive visitor maps on the Avenza mobile app or by printing a PDF version of the same.
• Take or scatter any unused portion of your tree. (If you take it home, you can make a wreath.)
• When on public land, display your permit on the dashboard of your car or another visible location. Permits are available at www.recreation.gov/tree-permits and are only valid on the district for which they were purchased, nor are they transferable or extended from one year to the next.
• Pack out all trash.
As far as choosing your tree, check its “freshness” by tugging lightly on the needles. If they don’t fall out, your tree should last through the holiday season. And regarding your safety for the adventure, check the weather forecast and daylight hours. Drive with chains and/or 4-wheel drive and don’t go off-road. Bring food and warm clothes, an extra blanket, a shovel, a first aid kit, sun block and sunglasses. Plan on below-freezing temperatures and cold winds. Have a spare key on your person, remembering that there may be no supporting cell phone signal where you are cutting. Stay with your group and let someone at home know where you are going and when you expect to be back. Consider bringing snowshoes; they are available for rental at both West Custer County Library and All the Range outdoor gear shop, both on in the 200 block of Main Street, Westcliffe. Stay away from dead or burned trees as they can fall at any time. Bring a backpack or sled to tote your younger kids around. It’s tough work tracking around in the snow, especially for small children. Bring lots of snacks and water. Consider some hot chocolate to warm up when you get back to your vehicle. Have rope or straps to secure your tree to your vehicle, and having something to use to drag your tree behind you is also helpful. Use a tape measure to complement your eyeing the tree; both girth and height are important measures.
When you get your tree home, keep it in a sheltered, unheated area for a day or two or until you’re ready to decorate it. Keeping it away from wind and sun in a bucket of water, making it last longer. When you do decorate, make a fresh cut right above the stump to help your tree absorb water better, and keep your tree watered well.
The Pike and San Isabel forests surround us, and San Carlos Ranger District is closest to us. Go to the aforementioned recreation.gov website, and link to “Pike and San Isabel National Forest Christmas Tree Permit” for further details on cutting dates and permit costs.
For those of us who might like a fresh cut, natural tree, but aren’t likely to tromp around in the snow to acquire it ourselves, Greenleaf Forestry, following all the above counsel has acquired some freshly-cut native natural white fir Christmas Trees from a fire mitigation project. They are four to eight feet tall, great for ornament hanging, and available for $15 to $45 at the Greenleaf Sawmill, 1500 Rostia Road (CR 328), Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Greenleaf also has two- to four-foot potted trees available. After Christmas indoors, they can be planted outdoors; the staff will happily provide instructions.
In any event, the Tribune staff wishes all our readers and advertisers, whether tree harvesters for the first time or for a long time, or supporters of our local forest products, the happiest of adventures across the holidays!
– W.A. Ewing