Lincoln Natl. Forest tree permits

The Lincoln National Forest continues its annual tradition of offering this holiday season, the opportunity to choose and cut down a Christmas Tree. A fresh cut tree has been part of family traditions for many years and the center piece of the holiday season celebration.

Beginning November 2, 2009, the Lincoln National Forest has Christmas Tree permits for sale at a cost of $5 each, one per household. The permits are available for purchase in person through December 24, or by mail now until December 11.

Any live evergreen tree up to ten feet in height can be cut down or dug-up, in the Smokey Bear, Sacramento, or Guadalupe Ranger Districts as designated by a map accompanying the permit.

Please be considerate (and legal) and do not cut trees on private lands, within Wilderness areas or District Ranger Office locations.

You may purchase a permit at the following locations:

• All Lincoln National Forest Offices - Alamogordo, Cloudcroft, Ruidoso, and Carlsbad
• Chamber of Commerce Offices - Alamogordo, Cloudcroft, Ruidoso and Roswell
• Wal-Mart Stores - Alamogordo, Las Cruces (both locations), Carlsbad, and Ruidoso Downs (customer service department)
• Smokey Bear Historical State Park – Capitan
• Mountain Top Mercantile - Cloudcroft - Available for purchase 7 days a week
• Queen Store – Queen

There is also a mail-in application available at the following locations:

• Lincoln National Forest Offices - Alamogordo, Cloudcroft, Ruidoso, and Carlsbad
• Chamber of Commerce Offices - Alamogordo, Cloudcroft, Ruidoso, Carlsbad, Artesia, Clovis, Hobbs, Jal, Las Cruces (Hispanic Chamber also), Lovington, Portales, Roswell, NM, and El Paso, Lubbock, Midland, and Odessa, TX.
• US Post Offices - Alamogordo, Tularosa, Carrizozo, NM, and El Paso, TX
• JC Penney Stores (catalog dept.) - Las Cruces, NM, and El Paso, TX. (Gateway W & Sunland Park)
• Holloman Air Force Base - Outdoor Recreation
• White Sands Missile Range - Public Affairs, Community Center and Outdoor Recreation
• US Border Patrol - Las Cruces
• NM Game and Fish - Las Cruces
• Bureau of Land Management Offices - Las Cruces and Roswell
• Roswell Convention Center – Roswell
• Outpost Gallery - Dell City, TX
• Chamizal National Memorial - El Paso, TX

Visit any Lincoln National Forest Office from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, to purchase a permit. If you are not near a location that sells the permit over-the-counter, stop by and pick up a mail-in application from one of the mail-in application locations.

Maps and specific instructions are provided with the mail-in or in-person permit purchase. Visitors are urged to call ahead for the latest travel and weather conditions.

All sales are final.

For more information on the Christmas Tree program, contact the Smokey Bear Ranger District Office at (575) 257-4095, Sacramento Ranger District Office at (575) 682-2551, Guadalupe Ranger District Office at (575) 885-4181, and the Supervisor's Office at (575) 434-7200.