Holiday revelers planning to find and cut their own Christmas tree this year will need to purchase permits beginning this weekend in a number of national forests throughout Arizona. It all depends on where you’re planning to find that tree.
There are six national forests in Arizona, and each have different starting dates and rules for Christmas tree permits.
Right now, forest officials say it gets pretty treacherous on roads to the best trees in both the Coconino and Kaibab forests.
However, finding a native pinon, Douglas, white fir or juniper should be somewhat easy in the higher elevations of the Coconino, Prescott, Apache Sitgreaves and Tonto National forests.
All require permits, and as of this weekend — beginning Thursday — are on sale for $15 per tree at designated ranger stations, with some expected to sell out within hours for the Coconino and Prescott permits.
The Apache Sitgreaves National Forest reportedly has the most number of permits, variety of trees and easiest access with permits available by mail.
