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Tree permits available soon Hunting season for Christmas trees begins Friday. The Medford and Coos Bay districts of the Bureau of Land Management and the Rogue River and Siskiyou national forests offices will begin selling personal use Christmas tree permits on Friday. The single permit allows the harvest of Christmas trees on U.S. Forest Service and BLM public lands that are open to Christmas tree harvesting. The $5 permits are available at BLM offices in North Bend (Coos Bay district office at 1300 Airport Lane in North Bend) and Medford (3040 Biddle Road), and from the Medford office of the Rogue River and Siskiyou national forests (333 W. Eighth St.), in addition to various USFS ranger district offices and visitor centers throughout Southern Oregon. Permits also are available at Rite Aid in Ashland, among other commercial vendors outside the Rogue Valley. Permit restrictions: one tree per permit; harvest only in designated areas; permits and trees cannot be resold; cut only trees shorter than 12 feet, cut as close the ground as possible, and cut your tree only if there is another tree within 12 feet; respect all road and area closures; and do not harvest in wilderness areas, campgrounds, developed areas, tree plantations, within 200 feet of state highways or on private property. Safety tips include taking clothing for unexpected weather changes; carry a saw, gloves, boots, flashlight, first-aid kit and rope for tying your tree; take tire chains for roads that aren't maintained; and always let someone know where you plan to harvest your tree and when you expect to return. Now in its third year, this interagency program has served thousands of Southern Oregon residents and visitors. More than 8.900 permits were sold during last year's season. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.