Harvest your holiday tree in a Northern State Forest

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reminding Wisconsin residents that they can harvest a holiday tree from a forest in the northern part of the state.

Trees can be cut in the Brule River, Flambeau River, Governor Earl Peshtigo River, Governor Knowles and Northern Highland-American Legion national forests. See the DNR website for details.

Christmas tree cutting is not offered at other DNR shelters. However, non-commercial harvesting of Christmas trees is permitted in some forests in the county, as is the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Contact the property where you plan to cut a Christmas tree before you head out so you know the harvesting guidelines.

Members of the public can obtain a permit from the State Forest Service to harvest a Christmas tree for personal use. The price can vary slightly from property to property, but the average cost is $5 per tree. With a permit for non-commercial forest products, fresh evergreen branches may also be harvested.

Known for their wonderful scent and dark green needles, balsam firs are one of the most sought-after species for Christmas trees. Various species of pine trees also find their way into visitors’ homes.

“We know people enjoy our northern national forests year-round, and the opportunity to find that special holiday tree or take home a few fresh-smelling evergreen boughs is another great reason to visit these properties,” said Teague Prichard, Wisconsin DNR state lands specialist.

Before heading into the forest with a saw and permit in hand, the DNR reminds visitors that harvesting is prohibited within 100 feet or within sight of roads, trails and bodies of water, and not in campgrounds or day-use areas may be harvested. Trees must be cut at ground level to a maximum height of 30 feet, and trees removed from national forests cannot be resold.

Check out the gypsy moth quarantine map maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to ensure you do not transport your tree out of the quarantine area.

For more information about Christmas tree cutting permits, visit the DNR Forest Products Permits webpage.