GRANTS, N.M. – The festive season is upon us, and those looking to embrace tradition with a freshcut Christmas tree can start preparing. The Cibola National Forest announced that Christmas tree cutting permits for the Magdalena, Mountainair, and especially the Mt. Taylor Ranger Districts will be available from Monday, November 6, continuing through to Friday, December 29, 2023.
Permit holders are permitted to cut trees from Thanksgiving Day, November 23, through to the end of the year. Each household can secure permits for two trees, with prices starting at $10 for a tree up to 10 feet. Trees up to 12 feet are priced at $12, and those up to 15 feet will cost $15. The maximum tree height allowed for cutting is 15 feet.
In an exciting update for families, all fourth graders across the nation are eligible for a complimentary Christmas tree permit, courtesy of the Every Kid Outdoors initiative. The initiative is designed to foster a connection between children and nature. Fourth graders need only present their Every Kid Outdoors pass code at the time of purchase to receive their free permit.
The Mt. Taylor Ranger District Office, located at 1800 Lobo Canyon Road, Grants, NM, will be selling the permits. For those interested, the office can be reached at 505-287-8833 and is open on weekdays from 8:30 am to noon, and then from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Those unable to visit the district offices can alternatively purchase their permits online via Recreation.gov, where detailed information about tree cutting, including designated areas, maps, and tree sizes, is also available. A nominal processing fee will be charged for online transactions.
Additional details on permit sales across various ranger districts and the Every Kid Outdoors initiative are available on the official Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands website and the Every Kid Outdoors portal.