Decorated Tree at the Mariposa Historic Courthouse
Sierra Sun Times file photo

December 6, 2019 - Clovis, CA. - For many, the holiday season brings thoughts of traveling to the local mountains to cut a fresh Christmas tree in the Forest, however, it is illegal to cut and remove trees from the Sierra National Forest.

As an alternative, there are several choose and cut Christmas tree farms located in the San Joaquin Valley and foothill mountains as well as numerous vendors supplying Christmas trees.  The National Christmas Tree Association provides a list of tree farms where fresh Christmas trees can be cut.  Their website is http://www.christmastree.org/home.cfm

If you do purchase and transport a pre-cut tree from a mountain area business or plan to cut a tree on private property, be sure to carry a receipt with you.  If you cut a tree on private land within the Forest boundary, carry a written statement of permission signed by the landowner.

There are penalties for cutting a tree from National Forest lands or transporting a single tree, these penalties consist of fines depending on the number of trees in possesion.  If more than one tree is taken, violators could be fined the value of the trees at maturity.

For additional information about the Sierra National Forest, please visit:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/sierra/.
Source: Sierra National Forest