You can get your dream Christmas tree for the same cost as lattes for two, and create a family holiday tradition at the same time.
Shasta and other North State national forests offer tree cutting permits for a cool $10.
Species for cutting in far Northern California national forests, which takes in Shasta County, include exotic varieties indigenous to high altitudes. Ones at lower altitudes are often closer to parking lots and roads, reducing the time it takes to carry your tree to your vehicle.
And you can’t beat the price. 2025 Christmas tree permits cost $10 per household to cut a tree in Shasta-Trinity or Lassen national forests — the same price they’ve been for more than a decade. Compare that to the roughly $100 price tag for the convenience of buying fresh trees at Redding lots and stores.
Prices are even better if there’s a fourth grader in your family. They’re eligible for a free Christmas tree permit through the forest service’s Every Kid Outdoors program. Go to Recreation.gov to get a permit online for a $2.50 service fee, or email SM.FS.S-T_PIO@usda.gov.
Follow permit maps and stay in the national forest. Permit holders are not authorized and must not cut trees on private land.
What types of Christmas trees are in Shasta-Trinity National Forest?
There are several Christmas tree types to choose from at the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. But which you pick to take home depends on how high you go in the forest and what kind of lovely branches you prefer to trim.
Douglas and Noble firs are hardy and have a full, bushy shape. Red firs, also known as silvertip firs, are symmetrical, with spreading branches, while white firs are a little imperfect in that they don’t have even gaps in between branches.
Aphen Dailey, a U.S. Forest Service worker at the Redding office in 2024, explained, the more unique trees grow at higher elevations.
You’ll need to go up to an elevation of 8,000 and higher for unique trees, like the mountain hemlock that tend to be stunted and are slow growing.
Note to readers: If you appreciate the work we do here at the Redding Record Searchlight, please consider subscribing yourself or giving the gift of a subscription to someone you know.
Dailey called the mountain hemlocks the “Grinch tree” for their almost mossy, bright green color and drooping branches.
Another tree that grows at elevations of more than 8,000 feet is the Port-Orford-cedar, which also is a fit this time of year as a Christmas tree.
Where to Christmas tree hunt at Shasta-Trinity forest
There are several tree-thick areas in the forest where you are sure to find just the right tree to bring cheer to the home.
Swaths of the north face and west side of Mt. Shasta are worth exploring, Dailey said.
The east side of the mountain in 2024 was only accessible to off-road vehicles due to overflows, mudslides and debris on Pilgrim Creek Road and Military Pass Road.
Another prime spot for Christmas trees is near the Castle Lake Campground, west of the city of Mount Shasta. The elevation of the lake alone is about 5,400 feet. Park the car at the campground and hike up to find your tree.
If you are willing to drive up more for that unique tree, Dailey recommended Mount Eddy and Scott Mountain.
Make sure to carry chains in your vehicle on the chance you run into snow in the higher elevations.
For tree maps of Shasta-Trinity and other information, go to fs.usda.gov/r05/shasta-trinity/permits.
Where to Christmas tree hunt in Lassen National Forest
North State residents driving to Lassen National Forest to find their perfect Christmas tree can start looking in the northwestern region of the park.
Easily accessible permitted areas include parts of forest service grounds around Mineral, and some areas between the north entrance to Hat Creek Road.
Avoid cutting in Lassen Volcanic National Park, surrounded by Lassen National Forest land.
Read more about cutting down your Christmas tree and where to cut at fs.usda.gov/r05/lassen/permits/christmas-tree-cutting.
Other tips when Christmas tree hunting
The forest service provides a tag for cut Christmas trees. It serves as a measuring tape of sorts. If the tree does not fit the tag, it’s too large to take.
Do not top a tree, or do not cut the top of a tree or its major limbs. It is against the law and can result in penalties.
When out looking, pick a tree from a stand of trees and take the shorter one. Do not take the tree that is standing on its own.
When searching for your tree, always hike up. That way, it is less work moving the freshly cut tree downhill to load on and tie to a car.
Where to buy a Christmas tree permit in Shasta, Siskiyou, Trinity counties
The following are designated retail locations where the U.S. Forest Service sells permits. These don’t offer the free permits to children, just standard permits for sale.
Permits can also be obtained online or in-person at the Ranger District Office:
Christmas trees gathered under the Shasta-Trinity National Forest permits must be cut on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The same rule applies to permits purchased from the Lassen National Forest.
Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica on Record Searchlight Facebook groups Get Out! Nor Cal , Today in Shasta County and Shaping Redding’s Future. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: How, where to Christmas tree hunt with $10 permit near Redding
Reporting by Jenny Espino and Jessica Skropanic, Redding Record Searchlight / Redding Record Searchlight
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
