Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

listen live donate
listen live donate
listen live
donate
  • News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
    News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
    Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
  • Podcasts & Shows
  • Schedules
  • Events
  • Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
    Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • Environment
  •  

Christmas Tree Shoppers Help With Forest Fire Resistance

  •  Sally Schilling 
Wednesday, December 13, 2017 | Sacramento, CA
Mark Doliner / Flickr

A trail through Eldorado National Forest.

Mark Doliner / Flickr

Thousands of Californians got their Christmas trees from a national forest this year, leaving the land a little more fire-resistant than they found it.

Eleven national forests in California are offering Christmas tree tags to those who want to cut down their own tree for a fee of $10. Eldorado National Forest Service Spokeswoman Jennifer Chapman says tree cutters are encouraged to find small trees that make for particularly good fuel for wildfires.

"We ask people to actually try to take trees where they are crowded rather than just where a single small tree would be out by itself, because that does help with the forest health benefits," Chapman said.

The Lake Tahoe Basin sold out of its 2,200 tree tags the day after Thanksgiving. Eldorado is offering a total of 4,500 tags and still has some available for purchase on weekdays.

Chapman says it's a small number of trees compared to the estimated 126 million trees in the forest, but it's a great excuse for people to get out on public lands.

"The actual goal of this program is to help people have this traditional holiday experience out in nature and help provide a personal connection to the land," Chapman said.

Fourth graders with an "Every Kid In A Park" pass can get a free tree tag.

U.S. National Forests in California that allow Christmas tree cutting with a permit are:

  • Inyo National Forest
  • Eldorado National Forest
  • Klamath National Forest
  • Lake Tahoe Basin Management Area
  • Lassen National Forest
  • Mendocino National Forest
  • Modoc National Forest
  • Plumas National Forest
  • Shasta-Trinity National Forest
  • Six Rivers National Forest
  • Tahoe National Forest

Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

 El Dorado National ForestChristmas tree permitsChristmas Trees

Sally Schilling

Director of On-Demand

Sally Schilling is a Davis native and a graduate of the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. She has reported on redwood poachers robbing national forests in Humboldt County and the dangers of melting tropical glaciers in the Peruvian Andes.  Read Full Bio 

More Stories

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Officials warn residents to stay out of California’s faster, colder river waters

May 24, 2023

AP Photo/Terry Chea

Almond hulls in your coffee? Some growers look to upcycle almond byproducts into food

May 25, 2023

Photo by Shelby Knowles for CalMatters

UC disability services understaffed, students say

May 22, 2023

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    •  
      (916) 278-8900
    •  
      (877) 480-5900
    •  Contact / Feedback
    •  Submit a Tip / Story Idea
  • About

    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Stations & Coverage Map
    • Careers & Internships
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
    • Press
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile Apps
    • Smart Speakers
    • Podcasts & Shows
    • On-Air Schedules
    • Daily Playlist
    • Signal Status
  • Connect

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen Live

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2023, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.