Seasonal tree permits available in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

information released

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Christmas Tree Permits are now available for purchase online.

Begin the holiday season with an outing to cut the family tree. This $5 permit allows you to cut a Christmas Tree within designated areas of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest!

Lifelong memories are built during these special times, and we are happy to help with any information gathering you’ll need to make this trip a safe and enjoyable one.

Permit Name:

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests

Purchase Permit – Click Here

Season Dates

Sat, Nov 1 – Wed, Dec 31, 2025

Max # Of Trees

2

Price

$5.00 / per tree

Steps:

  • Read permit information guidelines
  • Purchase the permit online
  • Print it out at home
  • Carry the permit with you as you venture to find your tree

Maps available to download:

What You Need to Know

Where to Cut Your Tree

  • Do not cut within private land, wilderness areas, fire closure areas, tree plantations or any other posted area.
  • Do not cut within sight of administrative sites, campgrounds or other developed recreation areas.
  • Do not cut in active timber sales or areas that have been planted with new trees.
  • Do not cut within 150 feet of any stream, lake, pond, or wetland area.
  • Do not cut within 200 feet of the following roads:
    • Naches —along Highway 410, Highway 12, and Forest Service Roads #1200, #1800, and #1900
    • Entiat —along the Entiat Valley Road
    • Cle Elum —along I-90 and Highway 97
    • Methow Valley —along Highway 20 over Loup Loup Pass between Twisp and Okanogan. Along Harts Pass road #5400. Along North Cascades Scenic Highway between east and west scenic highway portal signs (including all side roads).
    • Cle Elum Ranger District – no cutting of deciduous trees, western larch, western white pine, cedar, mountain and western hemlock.

Selecting Your Tree

Tree Species Guide – https://www.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=d3295191730a49f691379d7962b20bb0#

  • Each forest has limitations on the size of the tree you can cut and the species of trees that are permitted. See below to help you measure and choose a tree that meets your permit’s guidelines.
  • Tree Height: 15 feet maximum
  • Stump height: 6 inches maximum
  • Take the whole tree. Do not remove the top of the tree; cut down the entire tree
  • Choose a tree from a dense forested area, which will give the remaining trees more space to grow.
  • If snow is on the ground, remove it from around the stump so you can accurately measure the stump and tree height. Cut the left over branches from the stump and scatter them.
  • The tree may be cut, or dug up and removed as a transplant. The ground starts freezing as early as November. Please fill in the hole created when digging up a live tree.
  • When at a trailhead requiring a fee, you will need to display a Northwest Forest Pass on dashboard of vehicle. This can be purchased from any Forest Service office.
  • Do not park at a Sno-Park unless you have a valid Washington State Sno-Park permit displayed in your vehicle.
  • The Christmas tree permit system is not meant to be a replacement for our special forest product transplant program. That program is separate with its own guidelines. The Christmas tree program is just that, a program set up for families to cut their own Christmas tree.
  • Each permit is for one Christmas tree. Only two permits issued per family.