Get Your Christmas Tree from a State Forest

People interested in cutting their own Christmas trees can obtain Department of Natural Resources permits to cut trees from northern state forests. This service is only available on the Black River, Brule River, Flambeau River, Peshtigo River, Governor Knowles and Northern Highland-American Legion State Forests. Permits can be obtained from the property headquarters for a nominal fee, said Teague Prichard, DNR forestry management specialist. Fresh evergreen boughs also may be harvested with the non-commercial forest products permit. “We typically issue about 400 to 500 Christmas tree permits per year,” Prichard said. “We know people enjoy our forests throughout the year and the opportunity to find that special tree or bring home some fresh-scented evergreen boughs provides another great reason to visit our northern state forests.” Find contact information for the northern state forests and their locations on the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, keyword “state forests.” Use the keyword “Christmas tree” to learn more about the non-commercial harvesting process and download the forest products permit.