Published: Friday, November 27, 2009
Tips for Christmas-tree buying in Snohomish County
Permits to cut trees from a national forest are available at four locations.
DARRINGTON — Expect crowds today if you need to buy a permit from the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest before heading out to cut your Christmas tree.
Thousands of people wait until after Thanksgiving to get their permits, Forest Service spokeswoman Renee Bodine said. The tree- cutting permits are available for sale through Dec. 24 at several locations in Snohomish County.
Many of the cutting areas in the forest are accessible only by narrow, snowy roads, said Dave Kendrick, who oversees the Christmas tree program for the Forest Service.
Those who go into the mountains to get their trees need take along chains and other winter weather supplies, as well as leave early in the day to take advantage of the daylight, Kendrick said.
“And let friends or relatives know where you are going and when to expect you back,” he said.
The nonrefundable permits cost $10 for a tree with a height limit of 12 feet or $20 each for taller trees. Cutting a tree without a permits is punishable by a fine.
Maps and information about cutting areas are provided where permits are sold. Road and weather conditions are available at www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs.
Permits are available for sale at the Darrington Ranger Station, 1405 Emens Ave. N., 360-436-1155; the Verlot Service Center, 33515 Mountain Loop Highway, east of Granite Falls, 360-691-7791; the Skykomish Ranger Station, 74920 Stevens Pass Highway, 360-677-2414; and the REI store at Alderwood mall, 3000 184th St. SW, Lynnwood, 425-640-6200. REI is the only location taking credit cards.
If you want to cut your own tree but don’t want to drive so far, head out to a Snohomish County tree farm. Information is available at www.pickyourownchristmastree.org/WAxmasnw.php.
One you might consider visiting is Alan Acres tree farm near Stanwood. The original owners died two years ago, and friends and relatives are trying to keep the 40-year-old tree farm going.
Alan Acres is at 27314 36th Ave. NW, Stanwood, 360-629-3877.
If a living tree suits you better, the Adopt-A-Stream Foundation has live trees for rent.
The rental cost is $20 with a $10 refundable deposit for the use of cedar, shore pine, spruce or fir trees.
The pick-up and return schedule at McCollum County Park near Mill Creek, along with more information, is available by calling 425-316-8592.
In January, foundation volunteers will plant your live tree on the bank of a creek.
Christmas tree lots are everywhere, but on Whidbey Island, a popular place to shop is the Oak Harbor Lions Club lot next to the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce, 32630 Highway 20.
Proceeds from the sale of cut trees benefit the service club’s community projects. For more information, call 360-240-9483.
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427, gfiege@heraldnet.com.
Coming Saturday
Look for a list of Christmas tree farms on the front page of Good Life in Saturday’s Herald.
Thousands of people wait until after Thanksgiving to get their permits, Forest Service spokeswoman Renee Bodine said. The tree- cutting permits are available for sale through Dec. 24 at several locations in Snohomish County.
Many of the cutting areas in the forest are accessible only by narrow, snowy roads, said Dave Kendrick, who oversees the Christmas tree program for the Forest Service.
Those who go into the mountains to get their trees need take along chains and other winter weather supplies, as well as leave early in the day to take advantage of the daylight, Kendrick said.
“And let friends or relatives know where you are going and when to expect you back,” he said.
The nonrefundable permits cost $10 for a tree with a height limit of 12 feet or $20 each for taller trees. Cutting a tree without a permits is punishable by a fine.
Maps and information about cutting areas are provided where permits are sold. Road and weather conditions are available at www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs.
Permits are available for sale at the Darrington Ranger Station, 1405 Emens Ave. N., 360-436-1155; the Verlot Service Center, 33515 Mountain Loop Highway, east of Granite Falls, 360-691-7791; the Skykomish Ranger Station, 74920 Stevens Pass Highway, 360-677-2414; and the REI store at Alderwood mall, 3000 184th St. SW, Lynnwood, 425-640-6200. REI is the only location taking credit cards.
If you want to cut your own tree but don’t want to drive so far, head out to a Snohomish County tree farm. Information is available at www.pickyourownchristmastree.org/WAxmasnw.php.
One you might consider visiting is Alan Acres tree farm near Stanwood. The original owners died two years ago, and friends and relatives are trying to keep the 40-year-old tree farm going.
Alan Acres is at 27314 36th Ave. NW, Stanwood, 360-629-3877.
If a living tree suits you better, the Adopt-A-Stream Foundation has live trees for rent.
The rental cost is $20 with a $10 refundable deposit for the use of cedar, shore pine, spruce or fir trees.
The pick-up and return schedule at McCollum County Park near Mill Creek, along with more information, is available by calling 425-316-8592.
In January, foundation volunteers will plant your live tree on the bank of a creek.
Christmas tree lots are everywhere, but on Whidbey Island, a popular place to shop is the Oak Harbor Lions Club lot next to the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce, 32630 Highway 20.
Proceeds from the sale of cut trees benefit the service club’s community projects. For more information, call 360-240-9483.
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427, gfiege@heraldnet.com.
Coming Saturday
Look for a list of Christmas tree farms on the front page of Good Life in Saturday’s Herald.
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