Christmas trees in Seattle can be painfully expensive. If you’re looking to save money and create a special holiday memory with your family, you might want to venture out into the closest national forest to harvest your Christmas tree! The cost is usually $5 per tree, and never more than $10. However, you can’t just walk into any national forest in Washington and cut down a tree—a permit and some advance planning is required.
Here’s our step-by-step guide for cutting down your own Christmas tree in Washington state.
Step 1: Pick a forest
Before you head out, you’ll need to decide which national forest you want to explore. In Washington State, you can harvest a Christmas tree from any of these forests:
- Olympic National Forest
- Mt. Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest
- Gifford Pinchot National Forest
- Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest
- Colville National Forest
- Umatilla National Forest
Each forest offers its own scenery and experience, so do a little research and choose the one that feels like the right adventure for you and your family.
Step 2: Get a permit
Next up: the permit. This is how you purchase the tree! Most national forests in the state charge $5 per tree, while the Mt. Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest sets its price at $10. Find your Christmas tree permit here.
If you have a fourth grader in your family, good news: the Every Kid Outdoors program lets you harvest a Christmas tree for free. Your child even gets a special ornament from the U.S. Forest Service as a keepsake.
Step 3: Map it out
Since you’re planning to cut and bring home a tree, make sure you’re actually in a designated Christmas tree–cutting area on public land. You’ll find helpful maps on recreation.gov or on your forest’s permit information page.
If you’d rather speak with someone directly, give the nearest ranger station a call. Rangers can help you find a good spot and will also be able to inform you about closed roads.
Step 4: Check road conditions and prep your car
Most tree-hunting routes involve narrow mountain roads, and winter weather is almost guaranteed. Before you leave, look up the current road conditions for the ranger district you’re visiting. This is another instance in which the ranger stations can be helpful.
Plan on traveling with a high-clearance vehicle if possible, and bring along tire chains and a shovel. It’s also essential to pack winter hiking basics: extra layers, a flashlight, blankets, food, and water. Don’t forget the tools you’ll need to cut and secure your tree, such as a sharp saw, rope and twine, and a sled or tarp. And if your outing includes a stop at a trailhead that requires one, bring a Northwest Forest Pass.
Step 5: Choose your tree wisely
Every forest has its own rules for harvesting, but a few common guidelines apply almost everywhere. Aim for a tree under 12 feet tall, choose one from a densely wooded area, and avoid spots within 150 feet of lakes or streams. Steer clear of campsites and other developed areas, and when you make your cut, try to leave a stump no taller than six inches from the ground.
Happy Christmas tree hunting!