KINDS OF TREES FOR MORE AVAILABLE INFORMATION Ponderosa pine is noted for its full shape and If you have any questions or need more long graceful . It grows almost information, please contact the nearest everywhere in the Hills. Forest Service office:

Spruce is very popular as a holiday tree. It grows Supervisor's Office at higher elevations and on wetter, north facing Custer, SD (605) 673-9200 slopes and drainage bottoms. Spruce has a classic tapered form, and its short needles allow Hell Canyon Ranger District for easy stringing of lights and ornaments. Custer, SD (605) 673-9292 Newcastle, WY (307) 746-2782 Juniper is a shorter tree found at lower elevations in the southern and western parts of the Hills. CUTTING A Mystic Ranger District Many people like its full shape bluish-green Rapid City, SD (605) 343-1567 coloring. CHRISTMAS SAFETY IN Northern Hills Ranger District TREE THE WOODS Spearfish, SD (605) 642-4622 r Dress for inclement weather with boots, hat, and gloves. Remember that road and Bearlodge Ranger District on the weather conditions can suddenly change. Sundance, WY (307) 283-1361 Tell others where you are going and let them know when you return. Visit the Forest's website at: National Forest r Do not drive off the road unless you have www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills a clear view of the ground. Park so other vehicles can safely pass. CK HIL r Use your saw or ax carefully. LA LS B r Carry a winter survival kit, snow shovel, and drinking water. r You may need tire chains or 4-wheel drive. NATIONAL FOREST r Wear bright colors during the fall deer The U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal hunting seasons. opportunity provider and employer. WELCOME TO THE IMPORTANT CUTTING BLACK HILLS INFORMATION GUIDELINES NATIONAL FOREST You must have a permit for each tree. Forest Service permits cost $10 each and are available The maximum tree height is 20 feet. We hope you have an enjoyable and safe time at all National Forest offices in the area (except r Cut the stump within six inches of choosing and cutting your Christmas tree this the Hell Canyon Ranger District office in the ground. year. Custer), several surrounding National r Cut and scatter the limbs and other Grassland offices, and some private businesses. unused parts of the tree so they lie Your tree is just one of the many products within a foot of the ground. national forests provide. Through careful You can purchase your tree by mail. Make your management, the Black Hills National Forest check out to USDA Forest Service and send it to also offers outdoor recreation, wildlife habitat, Black Hills National Forest, 1019 North 5th SETTING UP clean water, livestock grazing, timber products, Street, Custer, SD 57730. If you include a YOUR TREE and minerals. stamped return envelope, we will send your permit back the same day. Keep your tree as fresh as possible. You can help protect the forest by following a r Store your tree upright in a bucket few simple rules when you select and cut your Trees are for personal use only and cannot be of water in the garage or basement tree. Please read about these rules in this sold. There are no refunds for unused permits, until you are ready to move it brochure. and all permits expire December 31 of this year. indoors. r The Forest is a 1.2 million acre (2,000 square You can cut your tree anywhere in the Black In the house, keep the tree well miles) outdoor wonderland in all seasons of the Hills National Forest with the following watered at all times. r year. I hope you'll take some time to enjoy and exceptions: Keep the tree away from fireplaces, appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds us r Active timber sales stoves, or heating vents. here in the Black Hills. r Campgrounds, picnic areas, and other administrative sites The employees of the r Black Hills Experimental Forest near DISPOSING OF Black Hills National Roubaix Lake/Rochford YOUR TREE Forest wish you a safe and r Wilderness happy holiday season. r Beaver Park area near Sturgis Some landfills do not accept trees. You can r Spearfish Canyon use the needles and twigs for mulch and r The Forest Service collects fees for Jasper Fire area near Custer burn the larger pieces in your stove or CK HIL Christmas trees under the Recreation fireplace. Consider donating your tree for LA LS B Enhancement Act (REA) authority. Before cutting, make sure you are not on private The fees will be used for repair, wildlife or fish habitat improvement. Do maintenance, and enhancement of land. Remember to attach the adhesive permit not dump your tree or any other trash on local recreation facilities and to provide NATIONAL FOREST to each tree before leaving the cutting area to public lands. enhanced visitor information services at avoid a fine. local Forest Service offices.