Green Mountain National Forest: Cut Your Own Christmas Tree (2026)
Has 2026 info
How your family can cut a Christmas tree on the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont, 2026 season. Every fact below comes from the forest's official pages, linked at the bottom.
Quick facts
- Price: $5 per tree
- How many: Up to two trees: 2 permits per household per year.
- Permit sales: On sale now online (sales opened Oct 8, 2026).
- Cutting season: Nov 1 – Dec 31, 2026.
Where can I cut?
- Designated areas only.
- See the district maps on the Recreation.gov listing.
- Not in wilderness areas, active timber sales or developed recreation sites (campgrounds, picnic areas, day-use sites).
- Not on private land.
- Clear woody debris from roads, ditches and culverts.
When can I buy a permit?
- On sale now online (sales opened Oct 8, 2026).
- Cutting season: Nov 1 – Dec 31, 2026.
How much?
- $5 per tree
- Extra fees: $2.50 Recreation.gov reservation fee.
How do I buy it?
What's an online permit? It's a permit you buy on Recreation.gov, the U.S. government's official booking website. You pay there, then follow the instructions that come with your permit.
- Online at Recreation.gov.
Rules to know
- How many: Up to two trees: 2 permits per household per year.
- Maximum 20 ft tall.
- Stump no more than 6 in.
- Trees must be cut.
- No transplanting.
- Take the whole tree.
- The same Recreation.gov listing also covers the Finger Lakes National Forest in New York. This page covers Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest.
Before you go
- Check this forest's official page and alerts the week you go. Rules, roads and closures can change.
- Cut only on National Forest land, never on private, state or tribal land.
- Forest roads are often unplowed. Check the weather and road conditions.
- Follow your permit's instructions for carrying, tagging or displaying it.
What to bring:
- Your permit (printed, if your forest asks you to print it)
- A hatchet, ax or saw (check your forest: some ban chainsaws)
- Warm gloves, boots and extra warm clothing
- Rope to tie your tree down
- A flashlight, first aid kit and tire chains
- Water, a hot drink, lunch or snacks (it always takes longer than expected)
Need firewood too? See the Green Mountain firewood permit page.
Sources
- Forest Service: Permits (Green Mountain & Finger Lakes)
- Recreation.gov: Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests Christmas Tree Permit
More in Vermont: All Vermont options
Independent site. Forest Permit Finder is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the USDA Forest Service or Recreation.gov. Permit rules change; always check the official page before you go. Information last verified Oct 2026.