The Shawnee National Forest is now offering Christmas tree cutting permits for the 2025 holiday season. Permits are on sale now at Recreation.gov and cost $5 per tree, plus a small online processing fee.
Each permit allows the holder to cut one tree between now and December 31st. Only specific species are permitted, including eastern red cedar, loblolly pine, shortleaf pine, and white pine. Trees must be under 15 feet tall, and the stump diameter cannot exceed six inches. Permits require that the entire tree be harvested; cutting only the top is prohibited.
Tree cutting is limited to designated areas. Trees cannot be harvested from wilderness areas, recreation sites, natural areas, or within 150 feet of trails, water sources, or developed facilities.
Maps available on the permit website detail roads, access points, and no-cut zones to guide visitors. Questions can be directed to the Hidden Springs Ranger District in Vienna or the Shawnee Forest Supervisor’s Office in Harrisburg.