Tree Cutting Season Open In Pike National Forest

While holiday trees are often purchased from tree farms, some prefer to flock to local forests.

Dawn Sanchez of the US Forest Service cautions ?tree-hunters,? saying there are several rules that need to be followed.

Sanchez said there is a permit that people must have before heading to Pike National Forest to cut down their own tree. The permit can be purchased for $10 at the Pikes Peak Ranger District office, located at 601 S. Weber St. in Colorado Springs.

The permit allows people to cut trees from 10,000 acres of designated cutting areas in Pike National Forest. These areas are outlined on a map, also available at Pikes Peak Ranger District office.

Trees must be have a trunk no larger than 6 inches in diameter. The US Forest Service also said the trees should be cut as close to the ground as possible, stressing that ?topping? of trees is prohibited.

?It just kills the trees and leaves a dead stump there in the forest,? said Sanchez.

Sanchez also told KRDO Newschannel 13 that it is easy to get lost in the forest. She said it is best to get an early start and said ?try to stay close to your vehicle.?

?If something was to happen and you did get lost, there is cell service up there. I would recommend getting to the closest area you can to a road. Either flag somebody down or use your cell phone to call in the case of an emergency,? said Sanchez.

The US Forest Service also requires a four-wheel-drive and/or chains on the roads throughout the forest. Sanchez said keeping an eye on the weather is also important as areas in the forest tend to accumulate more snow than would be seen in the city.

?You have to make sure you?re prepared. It?s probably going to take a while, I mean it?s not just a zip up and zip down,? said Fritz Voeltz, who is cutting his first tree this year.

It is recommended that those venturing out for their tree allow a minimum of four hours for their trip.

For more information on cutting trees, visit the US Forest Service website.