Get the freshest Christmas tree for $5. Here’s how and where to cut your own

The freshest Christmas trees will cost you just $5 and a drive of an hour or two into the mountains from the Tri-Cities.

Permits to cut a tree in the Blue Mountains of the Umatilla National Forest are available at National Forest Service offices by appointment, at some Tri-Cities and other nearby Washington and Oregon businesses, and online through Recreation.gov.

To buy a tree permit online at Recreation.gov, search for Umatilla National Forest Christmas Tree Permit. A $2.50 service fee will be charged in addition to the $5 permit cost.

To purchase directly from the National Forest Service, make an appointment to stop by the Walla Walla Ranger District Office or email r6_umatilla_public_inquiries@fs.fed.us and a permit will be mailed after payment is received.

The permits also may be purchased at Farmer’s Exchange or Sportsman’s Warehouse in Kennewick, Columbia Grain and Fee in Pasco or The General Store in Dayton.

For more information or to make an appointment to purchase a permit, leave a message at 509-522-6290.

There is also a recording at the number with other businesses — including in Hermiston, Boardman, Tollgate, Pendleton and Walla Walla — selling permits.

The permits include information on where trees may be cut and more information is posted at bit.ly/FSChristmasTrees.

Finding your tree

Your best bet to find a tree to cut may be to go to Dayton and then take North Touchet Road south to the Forest Service land.

Cutting trees near the Bluewood Ski Area is popular, but trees may not be cut within 200 feet of the ski area.

Be prepared for possibly snowy roads and remember that most Forest Service roads are not plowed.

Snowshoes or snowmobiles may be helpful to reach trees in many areas as more snow accumulates, including near Tollgate off Highway 204, say officials at the Walla Walla Ranger District. You will need an Oregon Sno-Park Permit to park there.

Forest officials ask that each household buy only one tree permit.

Cutting trees is allowed in most of the forest, but there are some convenient areas that are off limits.

Make sure you are on national forest land. Don’t cut in a campground or within 200 feet of not only Bluewood Ski Area, but also summer homes and Forest Service guard stations.

You also can’t cut trees from Forest Service plantations.

What to know

You can take trees that stand up to 14 feet tall, but topping trees is not allowed. Stumps can be left no higher than 10 inches.

Forest Service officials ask you cut off any green limbs left on the stump; they’re good for decorating greens.

You also can remove up to 25 pounds of tree branches for home decorating.

You’ll need to carry your tree out or slide it out on plastic. Dragging will rub off needles and bark.

The U.S. Forest Service also recommends wrapping the tree in a tarp to prevent wind damage, if you tie it on top of your car.

Once home, cut at least a half inch off the bottom of the tree to get rid of pores too clogged with sap to absorb water, then put the trunk in water.

Dress for the snow and bring plenty of snacks and water, plus supplies to build a fire in an emergency. Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be home.

If you have a fourth-grader in the family, you can get a permit for free.

They must obtain and present a paper voucher printed from the Every Kid Outdoors website. Visit everykidoutdoors.gov and follow instructions.

This story was originally published November 25, 2021 at 5:00 AM.