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Wisconsin, 2026 season

Wisconsin Christmas Tree Permits 2026

The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest sells $5 Christmas tree permits online and at its offices, and Wisconsin DNR properties issue holiday tree permits, generally $5 a tree.

2
Forests selling permits
1 on Recreation.gov
$5
Price per tree
2026 season
Oct 8, 2026
On sale
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
Free
Fourth graders
with an Every Kid Outdoors pass
Forest by forest

Where to get a Christmas tree permit in Wisconsin

Wisconsin DNR issues holiday tree permits on its properties, generally $5 per tree; a Nov 30, 2023 DNR release named the Black River, Brule River, Flambeau River, Governor Earl Peshtigo River, Governor Knowles and Northern Highland-American Legion State Forests, and said cutting is not offered at state parks or southern state forests.

Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest

2026 season

USDA Forest Service

Price
$5 plus handling fee
Limit
Individuals may purchase up to five permits.
Tallest tree
20 feet
On sale
Oct 8, 2026
Cutting
Oct 12, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026
Where to buy
Recreation.gov, in person at any Chequamegon-Nicolet office
A permit to cut one Christmas tree on Forest Service land may be purchased online at Recreation.gov for $5.00 plus handling fee, or by calling a district office and arranging to pick up the permit.
Holiday Tree Permits, USDA Forest Service, read September 22, 2026. Read it at the source

Rules for cutting

Trees can be no taller than 20 feet, cut with a stump of 6 inches or less.

Maximum tree height is 20 feet. Maximum stump height is 6 inches. Trees must be cut as close to the ground as possible.
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Read it at the source

Northern white cedar and hemlock are off limits.

Do not cut Northern White Cedar or Hemlocks.
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Read it at the source

Wilderness, research natural areas, developed recreation and administrative areas, the Argonne Experimental Forest and land within 100 feet of a lake or pond are closed to cutting.

Permit Area Description: All National Forest land except for: Wilderness Areas, Research Natural Areas, Developed Recreation Areas, Administrative Areas, the Argonne Experimental Forest, or within 100 feet of a lake or pond.
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Read it at the source

Carry the permit while you cut, and take the whole tree rather than just the top.

Your permit(s) must be in your possession when cutting the holiday tree(s).
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Read it at the source

Each permit covers one tree, for personal use only.

Individuals may purchase up to five permits. Each permit covers the harvest of one tree.
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Read it at the source

Fourth graders with an Every Kid Outdoors pass get a free permit here.

A Free Tree for Fourth Graders in the Every Kid Outdoors Program!
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Read it at the source

Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest permits on Recreation.gov

Northern state forests (Wisconsin DNR properties)

Permit on request

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Price
generally $5 per tree
On sale
On request
Cutting
Any time the permit is open
Where to buy
on site from the DNR property, some by mail
Permit price may vary slightly from property to property, but is generally $5 per tree.
Miscellaneous Forest Products Permits, Wisconsin DNR, read September 22, 2026. Read it at the source

Rules for cutting

Trees are for personal use only.

Holiday trees can be cut with a permit and can only be used for personal use.
Northern state forests (Wisconsin DNR properties). Read it at the source

Stay away from roads, trails, lakes and designated recreation areas.

Generally, trees cannot be cut near roads, trails or lakes or within designated recreation areas.
Northern state forests (Wisconsin DNR properties). Read it at the source

Cut the tree flush to the ground.

Trees must be cut flush to the ground.
Northern state forests (Wisconsin DNR properties). Read it at the source

Contact the property before harvesting for its own rules and a permit on Form 2460-008.

Anyone interested in a forest products permit should contact the specific DNR property before harvesting to find out property-specific regulations and obtain a permit.
Northern state forests (Wisconsin DNR properties). Read it at the source
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Every Kid Outdoors

The free Christmas tree permit for Wisconsin fourth graders

A fourth grader with an Every Kid Outdoors pass can get a free Christmas tree permit from a national forest, and Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest says so on its permit page. The pass is free from the Every Kid Outdoors program, and the permit is redeemed on Recreation.gov with the pass number.

A Free Tree for Fourth Graders in the Every Kid Outdoors Program!
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Read it at the source
A small child in a knit hat rides a sled beside a cut fir tree on a snowy forest track, an adult and a dog walking ahead
A family tree on its way out of the Bighorn National Forest, Wyoming. The forest shared this photo to remind fourth graders that the Every Kid Outdoors pass brings a free tree permit. “Christmas tree - Bighorn National Forest - December 2017”, US Forest Service, Public domain

Wisconsin Christmas tree permit questions

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Christmas tree permits in other states

Wisconsin Christmas tree farmsChoose and cut farms and the pick your own season in Wisconsin.First snow in WisconsinWhen the first measurable snow usually falls, city by city.Christmas tree permits by stateEvery forest's price and dates in one table, with the free fourth grade permit.
Tall snow covered conifers lining a snowy forest road under a bright blue sky
Fresh snow on the conifers of a Pacific Southwest Region national forest in November 2024, the week the region reminded families that its tree permits sell on Recreation.gov. “Are you ready to get into the holiday spirit? Christmas tree permits are availiable online at Recreation (20241116-FS-ASA-55)”, Region 5 Photography, Public domain

Compiled September 22, 2026. Every price, date and rule above is republished from Holiday Tree Permits, USDA Forest Service and the other forest pages linked beside each quote, read on September 22, 2026. Prices, dates and cutting areas change each fall, so the forest’s page is the one to check before a trip. Every state is in the national Christmas tree permit guide.