Permits to cut Christmas trees in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest are now on sale and will be available through Dec. 24. However, if you and your family are planning to cut a tree, you may want to do it before the snow falls in the high country because there will be limited snow plowing this year.
Unlike in years past, the Forest Service will not snow plow the Hansen Creek Road (Forest Service Road 5510) on the I-90 corridor and Forest Service roads 7010 and 75 on the Highway 410 corridor.
“Providing motor vehicle access to the high country can be difficult because of large elevation gains of 2,000 to 5,000 feet and quickly changing weather conditions on steep single-lane gravel roads,” said Jim Franzel, district ranger for the Snoqualmie Ranger District. Franzel said there isn’t enough funding to plow and monitor road conditions.
In addition, the noble and silver fir second growth stands that have supported the Christmas tree harvests now exceed the maximum allowable 20 feet, having originated from commercial cutting of the areas in the 1960s and 70s. The long-range goal for the Christmas tree program is to plant noble fir in lower elevation areas in both corridors, which will take seven to 10 years to become harvestable size.
The district will continue to sell the permits and provide snow and road conditions. The Enumclaw and North Bend offices sell approximately 4,500 harvest permits annually.
“If the snowpack is light or late, you will be able to access the high country,” said Franzel, who suggests harvesting a tree before Thanksgiving to avoid the snow. He said a cut tree can be kept outdoors for a few weeks without harm. For more information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/mbs.
Permits are available at the following locations:
Mt. Baker Ranger Station
810 State Route 20, Sedro-Woolley
360-856-5700 Ext. 515
Glacier Public Service Center
Mt. Baker Hwy. 542, Glacier
360-599-2714
Darrington Ranger Station
1405 Emens Ave. N., Darrington
360-436-1155
Verlot Public Service Center
33515 Mountain Loop Highway, Granite Falls
360-691-7791
Skykomish Ranger Station
74920 N.E. Stevens Pass Hwy., Skykomish
360-677-2414
Snoqualmie Ranger Station
902 S.E. North Bend Way, North Bend
425-888-1421
Enumclaw Office
450 Roosevelt Ave. E., Enumclaw
360-825-6585
Seattle REI
222 Yale Ave. N., Seattle
206-470-4060
REI Alderwood Store
3000 184th St. S.W., Lynnwood
425-640-6200
