BEND, OR -- Christmas tree permits go on sale next week at National Forest offices and authorized retailers.
Jean Nelson Dean, with the Deschutes National Forest, says some families are eligible for a free permit. "Christmas Tree permits are $5 each. And, for fourth graders participating in the 'Every Kid in A Park' program, they get one free Christmas Tree permit." She tells KBND News, "Part of the ‘every kid in a park’ program is to get kids outside. Fourth grade is the perfect age for kids to kind of discover the outdoors. It’s a way that families can go out and recreate together and kind of have part of that family tradition of cutting their Christmas Tree. So, it’s just a way to encourage that activity in our community."