Want a Christmas Tree With a Story? Head to the Forest.

If the idea of picking out a Christmas tree involves a parking lot and a quick drive home, here's a different plan: make it a day in the woods.

Christmas tree-cutting permits are available through Recreation.gov for participating national forests across the country. Choose your own tree in an approved area, bring it home, and make a memory while you're at it.

There's a forest benefit, too. In designated cutting areas, removing small trees from overcrowded stands can support forest-management efforts. The key is following your forest's specific rules about where and what to cut.

Tree hunting has been a family tradition for more than 27 years for Field Trip's Social Storytelling Director, Julie. Photo: Julie Dikken.

For Field Trip Social Storytelling Director Julie Dikken, this is more than a holiday errand. It's a family tradition.

“We have 'tree hunted' every Christmas for 27+ years,” Julie says. “We make it a full day, including friends and family.” Her crew brings chili or soup for a tailgate-style meal after the hunt. “Our kids who are out on their own still love to come home and cut down our family tree.”

A fireside break turns tree hunting into an all-day gathering. Photo: Julie Dikken.

How to get your permit

Visit Recreation.gov's Christmas tree permit page, search by state or national forest, and choose a participating location. Read that forest's dates, cutting map, tree-size limits, and other rules. Then log in, purchase your permit, and print it before your trip. Prices and availability vary by forest.

Have a fourth grader? Start at Every Kid Outdoors for a free pass or voucher. At participating forests, entering the voucher number during checkout can get you a free tree permit, though Recreation.gov notes a $2.50 reservation fee.

A few tips from 27 years of tree hunting

Dress in layers, check the forecast and road conditions, and bring a sled or tarp to help haul your tree. Deep snow may call for snowshoes. Pack a saw, rope to secure the tree, and plenty of time to enjoy the outing.

Found it! Now comes the trip back to the car. Photo: Julie Dikken.

“Always remember that hiking up to find your tree is much easier than carrying your tree back up a hill to the car,” Julie advises.

And leave the tree-lot idea of perfection behind. Julie reminds us, “Nature's trees are perfect in their own ways!”

This story is part of The 89 Percent Project, an initiative of the global journalism collaboration Covering Climate Now.