Black Hills National Forest Christmas Tree Tags Available November 15
CUSTER, SD. – Christmas Tree tags are now on sale, and will be available from November 15 through December 24, 2018 at Black Hills National Forest offices in western South Dakota and northeast Wyoming. A Christmas tree tag is also available for free to all 4th graders.
Fourth graders are eligible for a FREE Christmas tree permit as part of the Every Kid in a Park (“Every Kid”) In order for students to receive a free Christmas tree permit, they must present a valid 4th Grade pass or paper voucher printed from the Every Kid in a Park website: https://everykidinapark.gov/. To obtain the voucher, visit the website, click on the “Get your pass” button and follow the instructions. Print out the paper voucher and bring it with you to a District Office or the Supervisor’s Office on the Black Hills National Forest.
Individual permits, not part of the 4th grader program, cost $10, up to a maximum of five permits is allowed per individual, and the maximum allowable height of cut trees is 20 feet. Permits require that you cut the entire tree, leaving no more than six inches of stump, and that you cut unused branches so they lay flat on the ground.
White spruce, ponderosa pine, and western juniper are available and can be cut in many parts of the National Forest.
Each permit is accompanied by a handout with guidance about appropriate tree removal. Trees may not be cut in developed recreation sites, Forest Service administrative sites, active timber sales, the Black Hills Experimental Forest near Rochford, the Black Elk Wilderness, the Beaver Park area near Sturgis or within Spearfish Canyon.
The adhesive permit tag must be attached before a tree is removed from the cutting area; a citation can be issued for possession of a cut-but-untagged tree, even if a tag is available in person or in your vehicle.
Trees should be placed in water as soon as possible to help keep needles fresh. Once indoors, trees should be placed away from stoves, heaters, or heating ducts. After Christmas, used trees should be disposed of properly as yard waste. Do not dump used trees on national forest land.
There are no refunds for uncut trees or unused permits. Please note that Forest Service offices will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. December 24 is the last day permits will be sold at Forest Service offices. Private vendors (listed below) may sell tags until December 24.
Tags are available by mail from the Forest Supervisor’s Office, 1019 North 5th Street, Custer, SD, 57730. Enclose a check or money order in the amount of $10 for each tree permit, up to a maximum of five trees per individual as well as a self-addressed stamped envelope.
The Forest Service will mail tags and cutting instructions.
Permits are available at the following Forest Service locations:
Forest Supervisor’s Office and Hell Canyon Ranger District – Custer
1019 North 5th Street
Custer, SD 57730
Phone: 605-673-9200
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Hell Canyon Ranger District – Newcastle
1225 Washington Boulevard
Newcastle, WY
Phone 307-746-2782
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Bearlodge Ranger District
101 South 21st Street
Sundance, WY
Phone: 307-283-1361
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Nebraska National Forest / Fall River Ranger District
1801 Highway 18 Bypass
Hot Springs, SD
Phone: 605-745-4107
Office Hours:
Monday through Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Cash or Check Only
Christmas tree permits may also be available from the following private vendors thru December 24 (where open):
Sundance Travel Center
2823 E. Cleveland (Hwy14)
Sundance, WY 82729
307-283-1200
Open 24 Hours, 7 days per week.
Heart of the Hills Exxon C-Store
201 Main Street
Hill City, SD 57745
605-574-2077
Sunday – Thursday: 5:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Friday – Saturday: 5:00 a.m. – Midnight
Heart of the West Conoco
632 Main Street
Hill City, SD 57745
605-574-9001
Sunday – Saturday: 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Custer Ace Hardware
833 Mt. Rushmore Road
Custer, SD 57730
605-673-2227
Monday – Saturday: 7:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Sunday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
For more information on the Black Hills National Forest, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills
