Permits are now available for those who make an annual pilgrimage into the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest or the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's Medford District in search of a Christmas tree.
About 8,000 of the $5 permits are sold each year.
The permits are available in Medford at the interagency office of the BLM and Forest Service at 3040 Biddle Road or Blackbird Shopping Center, 1810 W. Main St., in Ashland at the Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District, 645 Washington St. or Ashland Mountain Supply, 31 N. Main St., and many other locations.
When a permit is purchased, maps and information about cutting areas and restricted areas are also provided. Permit holders can harvest any tree species shorter than 12 feet on the public lands but cannot cut within the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, the Wild and Scenic Rogue River corridor and recreation areas such as the Table Rocks, developed campgrounds and picnic areas. Cutting is also prohibited in posted tree plantations or within 200 feet of state highways.
— Paul Fattig