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53 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, November 25, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend November 25, 2004 Christmas tree season approaches Friday marks the biggest day of they year for the purchase of BLM and Forest Service tree permits By PAUL FATTIG Mail Tribune Like retailers throughout the nation, U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management workers are preparing for a rush of customers Friday. But instead of shopping for presents to put under the Christmas tree, their crowds will be seeking the permits needed to cut those tree. "Traditionally, the day after Thanksgiving is the busiest day of the year for us," said Karen Gillespie, spokeswoman for the BLM’s Medford District. "We expect it will be again this year." Each Christmas season for the past five years, the agencies have sold some 8,000 permits locally. The day after Thanksgiving unofficially kicks off the program, although permits are available earlier. The agencies are offering $5 permits again this year. The permit allows the permit holder to cut one tree. Advertisement The permits can be used in either the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest or the BLM’s Medford or Coos Bay district. The combined BLM districts and national forests have thousands of acres of federal land where trees can be cut. A map and brochure will be provided with each permit, Gillespie said. The permits allow harvest of trees only on federal lands designated for personal-use Christmas tree cutting. Trees cannot be cut within 200 feet of state highways, in campgrounds, tree plantations, designated wilderness or national monuments or other areas that are off limits. The permits are interchangeable on either national forest or BLM land, Gillespie said. Participants can cut only trees that are less than 12 feet tall. The trees should be cut as close to the ground as possible. In addition to dressing appropriately and packing food and water, they should let someone know where they are going and when they are expected to return. Tire chains and a shovel also are recommended. The tags must be attached to trees during transport. For more information about the permits, contact the following: Medford District, BLM, 618-2200. Coos Bay District, BLM, 541-756-0100. Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, 858-2200. Applegate Ranger District, 899-3800. Ashland Ranger District, 552-2900. Butte Falls Ranger District, 865-2700. Prospect Ranger District, 560-3400. Galice Ranger District, 471-6500. Illinois Valley Ranger District, 592-4000. Illinois Valley Visitor Center, 592-4076. Chetco Ranger District, 541-469-2196. Gold Beach Ranger District, 541-247-3600. Powers Ranger District, 439-6200. Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or e-mail him at [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities