Long before the 12 days of Christmas, you need the 12 tips to cutting down your own Christmas tree.
Where to get a permit to cut your own Christmas tree in Nevada
A permit is required to cut a tree on public land. They are issued by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the National Forest Service.
Permits are for specific areas and range from $5 to $10 with fees charged for buying it online.
To harvest a tree on U.S. Forest Service property, visit recreation.gov, or call the ranger district for your location. To harvest a Christmas tree on BLM property, visit their forest and wood product permits page, or call the BLM district office for your location.
What happens if I don’t get a permit or cut a tree outside my designated area?
Follow the rules, starting with getting a permit, because not doing so could mean as much as a $5,000 fine and up to six months in jail, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
What kind of Christmas tree can I cut in Nevada?
There are guidelines on what types of trees you can harvest depending on where you are headed. In general, the Forest Service says to avoid five needle pines. The best trees for Christmas are Jeffrey pine, ponderosa pine, white fir, red fir, lodgepole pine, incense cedar, pinyon pine and Western juniper.
Areas also have specific rules and may limit what can be harvested. For example, pinyon pine Christmas trees may only be harvested in the Clan Alpine and Desatoya Mountains east of Fallon, and the Excelsior Mountains southeast of Hawthorne.
Pinyon pine Christmas trees may not be harvested within the Pine Nut Mountains or the Virginia Range due to past fires and habitat conservation for the pinyon jay. Juniper Christmas trees may be harvested on all Carson City District BLM-administered lands.
Pro tip: Measure twice, cut once
Measure the space where you plan to place the tree at home and measure the space in your vehicle. Trees can appear smaller out in the wild. Bring the measuring tape when harvesting.
Be prepared before you head into the wilderness
Don’t count on your cell or GPS to work. Be sure someone knows where you are and when to expect you back.
We mean it — be prepared. The wilderness will mess you up
Have a full tank of gas. Bring a spare key and give it to someone else in your party — a key dropped in the snow can be impossible to find. Have food and water with an overnight survival kit.
Baby, it’s cold outside. Dress appropriately
Check the weather. What’s nice in town could be a blizzard in the mountains. Watch for forest warnings and road closures. Dress warmly and bring extra clothes. Carry tire chains, shovels and a tow chain.
Watch the clock
Go early enough that’s there no chance you’ll be out cutting in the dark.
Don’t get stumped
Make sure you do not leave a stump higher than 6 inches. The stump diameter from the ground must be no more than 6 inches.
Take what you cut, and cut what you take
You have to take the whole tree. Do not remove the top. Scatter branches you cut or have fallen off around the area.
Leave the loners alone
You must cut a tree that is within 10 feet of another live tree.
And finally …
Consider bringing work gloves and as much as possible carry the tree from the woods to your car. Dragging the tree will rub off needles and bark.