MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – Christmas tree cutting in the National Forest is a chance to take the family out into the woods and cut a tree the old-fashioned way.

Christmas tree permits will be available for purchase at Mendocino National Forest offices on Thursday, Nov. 1. The last day to purchase permits is Friday, Dec. 21.

The $10.00 permit allows the holder to cut one tree in designated areas until Dec. 24.

Permits are limited to one per household and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Permits are good for this year only. Individuals may also purchase a permit by mail. Mail-in requests received after Dec. 14 will not be filled.

The mail order form is posted on the forest website: http://tinyurl.com/h8x4hwd .

All offices will be closed on Thanksgiving Day Nov. 24, but will be open on Friday, Nov. 25.

As part of the Every Kid in a Park initiative, all fourth graders are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit upon presenting a valid fourth grade pass. The pass allows free access to federal lands and waters across the country for a full year.

To obtain a free Christmas tree permit, the fourth grader must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and present their fourth grade pass or paper voucher.

For more information about this initiative and how to obtain a fourth grade pass, please visit www.everykidinapark.gov .

Christmas tree permits will be available at the following:

Mendocino National Forest Supervisor's Office/Grindstone Ranger District Office
825 N. Humboldt Ave., Willows
530-934-3316
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Stonyford Work Center
5171 Stonyford-Elk Creek Road, Stonyford
530-963-3128
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Covelo Ranger Station
78150 Covelo Road, Covelo
707-983-6118
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Upper Lake Ranger Station
10025 Elk Mountain Road, Upper Lake
707-275-2361
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-4:30 p.m.

Paskenta Work Station
13280 Paskenta Road, Paskenta
530-833-5544
Hours: Saturday, Nov. 24, Dec. 1, Dec. 8 and Dec. 15 ONLY 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Permits may also be available from the following vendors; please call ahead for availability:

Hi-Way Grocery – Upper Lake
707-275-2380
Monday – Saturday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Sunday, 8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.

M&M Feed and Supply – Covelo
707-983-6273
Monday – Saturday, 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Keith’s Family Foods – Covelo
707-983-6633
Seven days a week, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

For more information, including tree cutting tips, please see the forest Web site http://tinyurl.com/h5o8h3h or call 530-934-3316.