New Mexico Christmas Tree Permits 2026

Each permit is $5 (for any permitted species) up to 10 feet, $10 for over 10 feet - up to 15 feet, and $15 for over 15 feet - up to 20 feet tall.

The tree may be cut, or dug up and removed as a transplant. The ground starts freezing as early as November. Please fill in the hole created when digging up a live tree.

Do not cut or transplant bristlecone pine. ... Stump height: maximum of 6 inches above ground level.

Take the whole tree. Do not remove the top of a taller tree; cut down the entire tree within permitted height limit.

Do not cut on private land, in wilderness areas, or designated campgrounds. ... Do not cut in active timber sales.

Do not cut trees within 100 feet of any campground, trail, stream, river, Forest Road, or State Highway. ... Do not cut within those areas shown on the downloadable map as closed to Christmas tree cutting.

Cutting period for permit holders will be from Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27th thru Dec. 31st. Each permit is good for one Christmas tree, two trees per household may be purchased.

A tree permit must be purchased by Ranger District. You will only be permitted to cut your tree on the District where your permit is purchased. We only sell permits for Magdalena, Mountainair or Mt. Taylor Ranger Districts. BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR MAPS.

Make sure to know your species and what is allowable on each district. On Mountainair and Mt. Taylor Ranger Districts you may cut Pinon, Juniper, Douglas Fir, Ponderosa Pine, Blue Spruce, Engelmann Spruce, Sub-Alpine Fir. On Magdalena Ranger District you may cut Pinon, Juniper, Douglas Fir, White Fir, Ponderosa Pine, Spruce and Sub alpine Fir.

Cut trees as close to the ground as possible, leaving a stump no higher than six inches. Cut all remaining branches from the stump and scatter. ... Take the whole tree. Do not remove the top of the tree; cut down the entire tree.

Do not cut on private land, in wilderness areas, designated campgrounds, along roadways, in recreation sites, including but not limited to picnic areas and trailheads, or within the military withdrawal.

When purchasing a permit online, print out your permit and display it on the dash of your vehicle.

The pinon tree permit is free; any other species are $5.00 per tree.

Cut only one tree per tag. ... Tree Height: 10 feet maximum ... Select a tree with a trunk 6" or less in diameter. Cut stumps within 6" from the ground.

Do not cut within wilderness areas, riparian (river and stream) areas, and areas within 200 feet of paved roads and developed recreation sites.

Do not cut in active timber sales or areas that have been planted with new trees.

Boughs and branches trimmed from trees cut for Christmas trees may be taken for decorations. Do not cut branches from live trees.

Any limbs or portions of the tree left on the ground must be trimmed down to 12 inches (or lower in height) from the ground. This will provide a more pleasing appearance to the area and reduce the fire hazard through faster decomposition of the branches.

Lincoln National Forest Christmas Tree Permit (Online)Thu, Nov 13, 2025 - Wed, Dec 31, 20251$10.00 / per tree ($2.50 service fee) ... Lincoln National Forest Christmas Tree Permit (In Person) Smokey Bear Ranger District Office & Sacramento Ranger District OfficeThu, Nov 13, 2025 - Wed, Dec 24, 20251$10.00 cash or card

Your tree must not exceed 10 feet in height. ... Take the whole tree. Do not remove the top of the tree; cut down the entire tree.

Do not cut on private land, in wilderness areas, within 300 feet of a designated campground or trail, within 100 feet of a paved road or in areas that have been planted with new trees.

Do not cut in active timber sale areas.

Please print and display your permit on the dashboard of your vehicle.

Bring a map with you. Don’t rely on GPS because it may not be up-to-date with forest service roads. Roads may not be plowed. Carry tire chains, shovel(s) and a tow chain.

The SFNF’s non-refundable Christmas tree permits are $10. Permits purchased online through recreation.gov will include an additional $2.50 service fee. One tag is valid for a tree up to 5 inches in diameter and 10 feet in height. Trees taller than 10 feet and/or wider than 5 inches require an additional tag. For example, a 15-foot tree requires two tags.

Take the whole tree. Do not remove the top of the tree; cut down the entire tree. Cut trees as low to the ground as possible (do not leave stump more than 6-inches in height).

Please respect the rights of the private landowners located adjacent to the National Forest boundaries—cut only if you are sure you are on National Forest lands and in designated cutting areas. Do not cut in the following restricted areas: • within all recreation camp areas; • within 300 feet of streams and rivers; • within 300 feet of paved roads; • within designated Wilderness areas; · within or along Hyde Park, State Road 475; · within or along State Road 4, (Jemez Pueblo boundary); • all private land.

Bring a copy of your Christmas Tree Permit with you when you go out to cut your tree. ... Forest Service Staff may be in the cutting areas to check permits and answer questions. They are not authorized to sell permits, so you should have a permit with you when you get to the area.

Pre-cut Christmas Trees may be available for purchase at district offices. Availability is subject to weather conditions and supply, with priority given to people who are unable to cut their own tree.

Be aware of the Temporary Area and Road Closure for Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Post-Fire Impacts closure order: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/santafe/alerts-notices/?aid=74871

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) offices will begin personal Christmas tree permit sales for harvest of piñon and juniper beginning Nov. 24, 2025, for the Farmington, Taos, Socorro and Rio Puerco Field Offices, along with the New Mexico State Office. The permits must be purchased before Dec. 24. The cost per tree is $5.

Effective immediately through January 31, the BLM is reducing many personal-use permit fees to just $1, including Christmas tree permits and firewood permits. ... Increase household limits to up to 10 cords of firewood and up to three Christmas trees.

If purchasing online, you must have access to a printer for printing the permit and map.

When transporting a tree taken from BLM public land, the haul tag provided with the permit must be attached to the tree.

Before you visit your local BLM office to obtain a permit, please call that office to confirm services and availability of staff.

Stay on designated roads and respect private land. Some tree cutting areas may be inaccessible after snowfall – early season cutting is advisable.