During winter, more Montanans are participating in the time-honored tradition of harvesting their own Christmas trees from national forests. According to U.S. Forest Service data, recreational Christmas tree permits in Montana’s national forests have surged 34% from 21,550 in 2016 to 28,878 in 2024.
The data encompasses seven national forests: Beaverhead-Deerlodge, Bitterroot, Flathead, Custer Gallatin, Helena-Lewis and Clark, Kootenai, and Lolo. However, permits on Bureau of Land Management land and state-owned lands are not included, nor are unpermitted tree harvests.
Permits, priced at $5 each, allow households to cut up to three trees for personal use. The Custer Gallatin National Forest, located between Yellowstone and Bozeman, recorded the highest permit issuance with over 11,500 in 2024, representing more than 40% of the total permits issued over the past nine years.
The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest was second in 2024 with 5,397 permits, accounting for about 20% of total permits. The Flathead National Forest near Kalispell nearly doubled its permits from 2016 to 2024, while the Lolo National Forest near Missoula also saw an increase, with 4,289 permits issued in 2024.
Forest Service officials highlight the environmental benefits of recreational tree cutting. Chiara Cipriano, public affairs officer with the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, mentions that removing small-diameter trees enhances forest health by reducing competition for resources. This practice aids in growing larger, healthier trees that are more resistant to wildfires, benefiting wildlife and ecosystems.
For many Montana families, cutting a Christmas tree on public land is not just a seasonal activity but also contributes to effective forest management.
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