BOISE, Idaho — It’s that time of year again – time to find a Christmas tree. Some secure a fake tree at the grocery store, others go to a tree farm, but plenty of Idahoans head to a National Forest – to cut down a Christmas tree in the woods.
For the Simpsons, who have lived in Idaho for ten years, it’s a family tradition. This year, they got their permit and went to the Payette National Forest to secure their tree.
“The trees you can get at the store are perfect and beautiful, but this just brings a bit more uniqueness to the whole experience,” said Kelly Simpson, who is also the Payette National Forest recreation specialist.
There are a few guidelines to follow if you are getting your tree in the woods.
You must have a permit, which you can get at a local forest service office, or at recreation.gov. They are $10, with an additional $2.50 for tax.
Permits purchased online must be printed before going to cut down a tree, and put in your dashboard when the tree is cut. Each permit is good for one tree, and each family has a maximum of three trees.
The tree you cut down cannot be a white bark pine tree, said Kelly Martin, Payette National Forest’s Public Affairs Officer. In addition, the tree must be less than 12 feet high.
“A good tree is a fur… furs are friendly. When you touch them the needles are soft,” Martin said.
Make sure to bring a saw, tarp to wrap the tree up in, warm clothes and snowshoes or skis if you are hiking into the forest to get the tree.
The Simpson family had their permit and snowshoed in to get a tree, and came out with a Douglas Fur, and, some new family memories to add to their Christmas tradition.
“It’s so special to be out in the trees with my family,” Simpson said. “It’s all those little moments brought together to make that holiday season.”