Mark Twain National Forest: Cut Your Own Christmas Tree (2026)
Current rules — 2026 dates not posted yet
How your family can cut a Christmas tree on the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri, 2026 season. Every fact below comes from the forest's official pages, linked at the bottom.
Quick facts
- Price: Free — no permit needed for small, personal-use amounts
- How many: Minor, personal-use quantities only (no number stated).
- Permit sales: No permit to buy.
- Cutting season: No season dates posted.
Where can I cut?
- Mark Twain National Forest land.
- Commercial collecting is prohibited.
- Don't collect any plant listed or proposed for listing as endangered or threatened.
- Ask the district biologist if unsure.
When can I buy a permit?
- No permit to buy.
- Cutting season: No season dates posted.
How much?
- Free — no permit needed for small, personal-use amounts
- Extra fees: None stated.
How do I buy it?
- No permit needed for personal use, per the forest's Special Forest Products and Permits pages.
- Questions: Supervisor's Office, Rolla, (573) 364-4621.
Rules to know
- How many: Minor, personal-use quantities only (no number stated).
- Not stated on the forest's pages.
- Because there's no permit, the forest hasn't posted Christmas-tree rules like size limits or no-cut zones. Call the ranger district before you go to ask where cutting is OK.
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 Mark Twain firewood permit page.
Sources
More in Missouri: All Missouri 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.