Lincoln National Forest to sell tree permits

ALAMOGORDO – The Lincoln National Forest will begin selling Christmas tree permits on Monday for $5 each.

There's a limit of one per household, according to a news release.

A limited number of permits will be available on a first-come first-served basis. An individual may purchase up to four permits on behalf of four separate households. The last day to purchase a permit is Dec. 24 while offices are open and permits are available.

Lincoln National Forest offices in multiple communities will be selling permits during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. District offices are open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the Supervisor’s Office in Alamogordo is open until 4:30 p.m. All four Lincoln National Forest offices will also be open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Nov 21, Nov. 28, Dec. 5, Dec. 12 and Dec. 19.

Office locations and phone numbers are:

• Supervisor's Office: 3463 Las Palomas Road, Alamogordo, N.M., 88310. Call the office at: 575-434-7200
• Smokey Bear District: 901 Mechem Drive, Ruidoso, N.M., 88345. Call the office at: 575-257-4095
• Sacramento District: 4 Lost Lodge Road, Cloudcroft, N.M., 88317. Call the office at: 575-682-2551
• Guadalupe District: 5203 Buena Vista Drive, Carlsbad, N.M., 88220. Call the office at: 575-885-4181

The offices are closed Wednesday in observance of Veterans Day.

With a permit, a tree may be cut from most areas within the Lincoln National Forest, except from a “wilderness” or designated “closed” area. When purchasing apermit and filling out the application, individuals will be asked to identify the area they plan to harvest a tree from.

To learn more about the types of trees in the area, view the agency's guide, “Common Tree Types." The guide is also available at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/lincoln.

The agency, in a news release, asked the public to "be good stewards and make sure that your Christmas tree is harvested only from US Forest Service lands, as shown on the map that accompanies the permit." The last day to cut a tree is Dec. 25.

For information, contact the Lincoln National Forest at 575-434-7200, or visit www.fs.usda.gov/lincoln. Follow the agency on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LincolnUSForest.