SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The permits to cut down your own Christmas tree in the Black Hills National Forest have opened for the season.
The $10 permit allows people to cut a tree within the designated boundaries of the national forest until December 31. The max number of trees is five.
According to Recreation.gov , trees cannot be cut in developed recreation sites like campgrounds or picnic areas. They can also not be cut from administrative sites, active timber sales, the Black Hills Experimental Forest near Rochford, Black Elk Wilderness Area, Beaver Park near Sturgis or within Spearfish Canyon.
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The national forest also has requirements when cutting the tree down, which include:
- Tree height: 20 feet maximum
- Stump height: 6 inches maximum
- Stump diameter: 6 inches maximum
- Take the whole tree. Do not remove the top of the tree; cut down the entire tree
- If snow is on the ground, remove it from around the stump so you can accurately measure the stump and tree height.