Christmas Tree-Cutting Applications Ready For Az National Forests

Applications for a permit to cut a Christmas tree on 1 of 4 Arizona national forests are available to print out at the Tonto National Forest web page at www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto. Applications are also available at Forest Service offices in Arizona & at other locations throughout the Phoenix metro area. A full list of these locations is available on the Tonto webpage.

A random drawing is used to issue permits because the demand for Christmas trees may exceed the supply of available permits. This year only 3,950 trees are available. Completed applications, including a $10 check or money order for the permit fee (cash will not be accepted), must be postmarked no later than Oct. 6th to receive consideration. Any applications postmarked after the deadline will not be accepted for the drawing & will be returned. Hand-delivered applications will not be accepted.

Applicants may select up to 5 tree-cutting areas in order of preference. Chances of receiving a permit will increase based on the amount of tree-cutting areas selected. A general map of cutting area locations with info about tree species & number of permits available in each cutting area is included with each application.

The Apache-Sitgreaves NF has all species available in their tree-cutting areas. The Kaibab NF has 1 cutting area available for piñon or juniper. The entire Prescott NF is available for any tree species. The Tonto NF has 1 cutting area available around Payson for either piñon or juniper. The Coconino NF will not be participating in the program this year due to pine bark beetle tree mortality.

The drawing & processing of applications begins Oct. 18th. All successful & unsuccessful applicants will be notified by mail after Nov. 9th. If an applicant is successful, a permit & detailed cutting area map for the area will be issued. If an applicant is unsuccessful, the $10 application fee will be returned.

For more information about the program, call the Christmas Tree Hotline: (602) 225-5258.

Some of the 2006 Christmas Tree Application Locations are at:

Apache Junction Library
1177 North Idaho Road
Apache Junction, AZ 85219
480-474-8555

Tonto National Forest Supervisor’s Office
2324 East McDowell Road
Phoenix, AZ 85006-2440
(602) 225-5200
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/home.shtml

Cave Creek Ranger District
40202 North Cave Creek Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85262
480-595-3300

Globe Ranger District
7680 South Six Shooter Canyon Road
Globe, AZ 85501
928-402-6200

Mesa Ranger District
5140 East Ingram Street
Mesa, AZ 85205
480-610-3300

Payson Ranger District
1009 East Hwy. 260
Payson, AZ 85541
928-474-7900

Pleasant Valley Ranger District
FS Road 63
P.O. Box 450
Young, AZ 85554
928-462-4300

Tonto Basin Ranger District
Highway 188
Roosevelt, AZ 85545
928-467-3200

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
30 South Chiricahua Drive
P.O. Box 640
Springerville, AZ 85938
928-333-4301
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/

Coconino National Forest
1824 South Thompson Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
928-527-3600
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/

Coronado National Forest
300 West Congress Street
Tucson, AZ 85701
520-388-8300
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado/

Kaibab National Forest
800 South 6th Street
Williams, AZ 86046
928-635-8200
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/kai/

Prescott National Forest
344 South Cortez Street
Prescott, AZ 86303-4398
928-443-8000
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/prescott/

Arizona Game & Fish Office
2222 West Greenway
Phoenix, AZ 85023
602-942-3000

BLM Phoenix Field Office
21605 North 7th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85027
623-580-5500

National Park Service
3115 North 3rd Avenue, #101
Phoenix, AZ 85013
602-640-5250