Cutting Your Own Christmas Tree in Arizona: Sold-Out Locations

ARIZONA — Yes, it is a real thing, not just something Arizonans see in Christmas movies: cut-it-yourself Christmas trees. Arizonans wanting to take a swing at cutting their own tree this Christmas can do so from Arizona’s national forests, and demand is running high for the required Christmas tree cutting permits to do so. With some permit-selling locations already sold out, here’s what you need to know if you’re considering axing down your perfect Christmas tree this year.

Tonto National Forest ­– A spokesperson from the Tonto National Forest’s Phoenix Supervisor’s Office says the Mesa district is sold out of Christmas tree cutting permits and won’t be getting any more. However, the Cave Creek Ranger District has about 100 of the $15 permits still available today. You can also get a permit by contacting or dropping by the forest’s Supervisor’s Office at 2324 E. McDowell Road in Phoenix or by calling them at 602-225-5200. The Supervisor’s Office has only 15 permits left right now, but will be getting in another 70 Thursday and then 200 more on Friday, a Supervisor’s Office spokesperson said. Trees up to 10 feet tall can be cut through Dec. 24, for personal use only and one tree per household, though an individual can buy as many as four permits for out-of-household family members. For more information, see the Tonto National Forest's webpage.

Coronado National Forest – This the only location Patch Media called that had an unlimited number of Christmas tree cutting permits. The permits enable holders to cut a Christmas tree in the Chiricahua and Dragoon mountains for $10 each. There is a limit of one per household, but like at the Tonto National Forest, one person can buy additional trees on behalf of family members in other residences. Permits are sold through Dec. 24, which is also the deadline for Christmas tree cutting. Get a permit by mailing a check payable to the U.S. Forest Service to the Douglas Ranger District at 1192 W. Saddleview Road, Douglas, AZ 85607, or call the Douglas Ranger District Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 520-388-8436 and order a permit over the phone using a credit card. Or you can stop by the ranger’s office in Douglas. A spokesperson for the Coronado National Forest Supervisor's Office in Tucson said that it typically takes 5 to 7 days for residents to receive the permit from the ranger’s office once the station receives a paid request.

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest ­– Christmas tree permits cost $15 and are available through Dec. 24. Tree cutters can also gather any pine cones or green cut branches they see at no extra charge. Christmas tree permits can be paid for by mail by including a money order or a check along with a self-addressed stamped envelope. For each additional permit, an additional stamp should be affixed to the self-addressed envelope. For contact information and to see each district’s tree cutting area map, access the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest’s webpage.

Coconino National Forest – Some Christmas tree permits are still available for the Mogollon Rim area trees only. Meanwhile, fourth graders can bring in a form from everykidoutdoors.gov to get a free Christmas tree permit. Permits are sold and trees can be cut through Dec. 24 for $15 per tree. Again, only one tree can be purchased per household. For more information or to see hours of permit-selling locations, access the Coconino National Forest's website.

Kaibab National Forest – This forest still has $15 permits available through Dec. 24. Permits can only be used in the district where they were purchased, on any Christmas tree species of 10 feet high or less. For contact information for the three districts selling the permits, access the Kaibab National Forest’s webpage or call the forest’s supervisor’s office at 928-635-8200.

Prescott National Forest – Forest officials reported on the U.S. Forest Service’s website that all Prescott National Forest Christmas tree permits are sold out. However, 4th graders holding free Christmas tree permit passes can still trade them in for a tree. For more information, call the forest’s station at 928-443-8000 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. any day of the week.