Christmas tree permits sell out in Lake Tahoe, continue on BLM land in the Pinenut Mountains

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Christmas tree permits are sold out but tree cutting permits remain available on BLM lands in the Pinenut Mountains between Carson City and Yerington, the Clan Alpine and Desatoya mountains east of Fallon, and the Excelsior Mountains southeast of Hawthorne.

In late November, the Lake Tahoe Basin forest office issued 3,000 permits on a first-come, first- served basis. No additional permits will be authorized for this season. The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is also sold out of permits. Other options for cutting a tree on Forest Service land include the Plumas, Shasta-Trinity, Lassen and Inyo National Forests. In addition, private Christmas tree farms are located in Placer, Nevada and El Dorado counties, said Lisa Herron, public affairs specialist for the U.S. Forest Service.

The BLM permits allow cutting a pinyon pine or juniper tree on designated BLM lands primarily in the Pinenut Mountains between Carson City and Yerington, the Clan Alpine and Desatoya mountains east of Fallon, and the Excelsior Mountains southeast of Hawthorne. Maps and directions are available with permit purchase. The cost per permit is $5.

There is no limit to the number of permits that may be purchased; the permits are for individual use only. Collection of trees for resale requires a special permit.

The BLM permits for Christmas trees will be sold at the locations listed below. The Reno and Carson City BLM offices accept credit cards, cash, and checks; other locations only accept cash or checks made payable to the BLM. Permits may be purchased at the following locations:

BLM-Carson City District Office
Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
5665 Morgan Mill Rd. Carson City, NV 89701
Saturdays (11/17, 11/24 and 12/1) 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
775-885-6000

BLM-Nevada State Office-Reno
Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
1340 Financial Blvd. Reno, NV 89502
775-861-6500

Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
1477 US Highway 395 North Suite A, Gardnerville, NV 89410
775-782-8144

Community Action Center-Hawthorne
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
924 5th St. Hawthorne, NV 89415
775-945-2471

UNR Cooperative Extension Office-Fallon
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
111 Sheckler Road, Fallon, NV
775-423-5121

Middlegate Station
7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., daily
42500 U.S. Highway 50 (48 miles east of Fallon)
775-423-7134

Cold Springs Station
8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., daily
52500 U.S. Highway 50 (62 miles east of Fallon)
775-423-1233

Tree cutters should be prepared with warm clothing, first aid kit, extra food and water, heavy rope or chain, shovel and tire chains, in the event of bad road conditions or inclement weather. Some cutting areas may be inaccessible after snowfall, so it is advisable to cut trees early in the season.

For more information please contact Coreen Francis, Carson City BLM Forester, at 775-885-6161 or Coreen_Francis@blm.gov.