Cut Your Own Arizona Christmas Tree

What better way is there to get in the holiday spirit than to don coats and hats and gloves, and walk through the woods in search of that perfect Christmas tree, cut down with your own tools by your own hands? It is a family holiday tradition that many in Arizona cherish, but there is some very important preparation to do. For you see, you cannot just load up the family and the dog into the SUV, drive up north and begin your search. You must have a permit to cut a Christmas tree. The months of September and October are when permit applications are accepted in Arizona.

NEW IN 2008: There are no more drawings or online applications for Christmas tree-cutting tags. You have to go to a designated store to purchase a tag. When they run out, they run out. Tag prices are now $15 each.

Here is what you need to know:

• In order to harvest that perfect Christmas tree, you must obtain a tag (permit).
• Companies, organizations or schools may not apply.
• Permits are issued for harvesting one tree under 10 feet tall, per family, per year.
• Only individuals/families may purchase a tag and the tree must be used in their household.
• Trees may be harvested during the period between November 22nd and December 24th.
• Along with your tag, you will receive a map showing your tag’s cutting area, tree-cutting instructions, safety precaution reminders and a tree identification fact sheet.
• There is no way to replace your tag if you lose it.

You can pick up a Christmas tree-cutting tag at one of these Big 5 Sporting Goods store locations. Tags sales will begin on Friday, October 10, 2008:

1. Avondale/Goodyear: 1623 North Dysart Road, Avondale AZ 85323
   623-535-0384
2. Flagstaff: 2775 Woodlands Village Blvd. Flagstaff AZ 86001
   928-214-0590
3. Glendale: 5490 West Bell Road , Suite A, Glendale AZ 85308
   602-548-5794
4. Mesa: 2930 N. Power Rd , Mesa , AZ 85215
   480-854-1889
5. Mesa/Gilbert: 1244 South Gilbert Road, Suite 101 , Mesa AZ 85204
   480-507-0137
6. Phoenix/Bell Rd: 1919 West Bell Road, Phoenix AZ 85023
   602-863-1309
7. Phoenix/East: 3560 East Thomas Road, Phoenix AZ 85018
   602-955-9601
8. Phoenix/Paradise Valley: 4623 East Cactus Road, Phoenix AZ 85032
   602-953-0305
9. Phoenix/West: 7710 West Thomas Road, Phoenix AZ 85033
   623-848-4800
10. Prescott: 6106 Highway 69, Prescott Valley, AZ 86314
    928-759-0013
11. South Scottsdale: 3330 Hayden Road, Scottsdale AZ 85251
    480-941-4387
12. Tucson/Speedway: 5695 East Speedway Blvd, Tucson AZ 85712
    520-296-3326

In 2008 there are 3,850 tags available for the Christmas tree-cutting program, down by 100 from last year. Four national forests are providing tags to Big 5 Sporting Goods for over-the-counter sales:

• Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest has 2,100 tags available for all species in their tree-cutting areas.
• The Kaibab National Forest has 1,000 tags available for one cutting area (Tusayan ranger district) restricted to piñon or juniper.
• The Prescott National Forest offers 450 tags this year for any tree species in two recommended cutting areas.
• The Tonto National Forest has 300 tags for either piñon or juniper this year for one cutting area around Payson.
• The Coconino National Forest will not be participating in the program in 2007.

Without an application drawing process, it's obvious that 'first come, first served' is the name of the game. When tags run out, no more will become available.

For more information you may call the Christmas tree hotline at 602-225-5258 or visit the Forest Service online.

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Tree lightings, holiday lights, festivals, holiday music and entertainment, gift guides and holiday travel tips -- find them all in the Christmas Holidays Guide for Greater Phoenix.

_{All prices and dates are subject to change without notice.}