Lions Club and National Forests Offering Christmas Trees

LOST SIERRA — In Downieville, the Lions Club is now offering Christmas trees for sale in Gold Rush Park, priced at $7 per foot, with a discount available to local customers. Buyers may pay with cash or check either at the Sierra Hardware Store or through the on-site collection box. A posted link at the park provides an option to use Venmo as well. A limited supply of trees also stands ready at Sierra Pines Resort in Sierra City.

For those looking to cut their own tree, the Tahoe National Forest sells Christmas tree permits online at Recreation.gov/tree-permits/tahoe. Each permit costs $10 and authorizes the harvest of one tree up to 20 feet tall, provided the trunk measures no more than 6 inches in diameter. Visitors to the website can review maps of approved cutting zones along with key guidelines for responsible harvesting. Beyond providing a classic cutting experience, forest officials note that selective tree removal aids fire safety efforts by thinning overgrowth.

Tahoe Forest permits also become available for in-person purchase on December 6 at the third annual “Christmas on the Tahoe” event. Hosted by the Tahoe National Forest Headquarters at 631 Coyote Street in Nevada City, the gathering runs from 10 AM to 2 PM and features child-focused games and giveaways.

Nearby, the Plumas National Forest provides its own permits for tree harvesting in marked zones, accessible through Recreation.gov/tree-permits/plumas. Regulations mirror those of the Tahoe National Forest in many ways, including the 6-inch limit on trunk diameter. Unlike the Tahoe policy, however, Plumas guidelines omit a specific cap on tree height.