There ’s nothing wrong with get your annual vacation evergreen from aChristmas tree diagram farmor retailer ( or going theartificial road ) . But if you ’re up for an peculiarly festive adventure , chopping down a tree from a bona fide forest is definitely worth considering — and it might even lay aside you a chunk of change .

While you ca n’t abscond with a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree from any old woodland , more than 40 U.S. home forests in reality further people to do just that . AsTime Outreports , all you need is a license , which costs somewhere between $ 5 and $ 10 .

Access depends on where you last and how far you ’re willing to move around . As you could see on themap of participating timberland , the overwhelming majority of them are located in the western half of the continental U.S. ; nine of them are in California alone . easterner have only two option nearby : West Virginia ’s Monongahela National Forest and Vermont ’s Green Mountain National Forest . There ’s also a smattering of timberland across Minnesota , Wisconsin , and Michigan .

There’s no shame in dragging it to the car on a tarp.

Each forest has its own detailed regulation regarding whichtreesyou can chop down . InMontana ’s Lolo National Forest , for example , you ca n’t take more than three tree , they ca n’t be more than 12 feet tall , and they ca n’t be “ seeable from major route , within 150 feet of flow or creek , or in other well - used areas . ” The site also lists a few recreational arena where tree - cutting is prohibited . In short , read the fine photographic print on your forest ’s license pageboy before you go traipse through the woods with an axe in hand .

As long as you follow all the principle , though , you’re able to rest assure that you ’re doing well by the surround . “ The permit system helps to thin densely populated stands of small - diameter tree , ” the U.S. Department of Agriculture say in apress release . “ Local forest wellness experts distinguish areas that benefit from cutting trees and incline to be the perfect size for Christmas tree . bump off these Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in designated arena helps other tree grow larger and can open field that provide nutrient for wildlife . ”

you may study more about the programhere .

[ Time Out ]