There is nothing like the aroma of pine in the house during the holidays. Cutting down a real Christmas tree adds an ambiance to the season that artificial trees can’t offer. It is easy to cut down your own tree in the Colorado Springs area. These are some tips to find and safely cut down the perfect tree.

Tree Cutting Areas Near Colorado Springs

The Colorado Springs residents have the option to hike out and cut down a wild Christmas tree on forest lands with a permit or to get a tree from a nursery.

Many Coloradoans like to make it a tradition to hike out into the snow to find their tree. The Pikes Peak Ranger district offers permits to cut down a tree in designated areas within the national forest system. The permits are given out on a lottery system and typically cost $20 to $35.

Tree nurseries are a very convenient option for cutting down a tree without having to even leave town. Trees from a nursery are planted with the spacing that allows them to grow very green and full. Colorado Springs also has several tree farms to choose from. Heidrick’s Christmas Trees, Jolly Christmas Trees, and Collins Christmas Trees are a few nursery options right in town.

Obtaining a Tree Cutting Permit

A tree cutting permit is required to cut down a tree in the public lands near Colorado Springs. A permit can be acquired through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Tree cutting permits are given out through a lottery system on a first come first serve basis. See the following USDA link to learn more about the rules and regulations as well as how to obtain a permit:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/psicc/passes-permits/forestproducts/?cid=fseprd845065

Selecting the best tree to cut down

Tree cutting permits usually cover young Douglas-fir, Ponderosa pine, Engelmann Spruce, and limber pine. When selecting a tree on public lands it is important to be considerate of the environment and the forest when selecting a tree. Make sure to follow the map and stay within the designated tree cutting areas. The tree must be less than 6 inches in diameter and must be 200 away feet from roads and campgrounds.

Select a tree that is growing in a tight group close to other trees. Cutting down a tree that is in a crowded area will help the forest become healthier by thinning it out. When overcrowded trees are thinned out, the remaining trees can use more water and resources which allows them to grow fuller and stronger.

Tree Cutting Tools and Considerations

Christmas trees must be cut down with a hand saw or an axe. Chainsaws are not allowed both due to personal safety and wildfire risk. A tree cutting permit is required for national forest trees. Bring safety equipment such as gloves and goggles to protect your skin and eyes from branches and sawdust as the tree is cut.

Make sure to plan the right height and width of the tree. Trees are often taller than they appear, so make sure to gauge the height of a tree that will fit in your home. The forestry requirements are that a tree is no larger than 6 inches in diameter, but the smaller the diameter of the trunk, the easier it will be to haul a tree out and set it up in your home.

Tree felling tips for an intact tree

Make sure that you plan the direction that you want the tree to fall and make a proper notch cut accordingly. Three cuts should be made into the tree trunk before felling it. Plan the direction that the tree will fall and put the notch cuts on that side of the trunk. The first notch cut should be cut at about a 45 degree angle into about a third of the trunk. The second notch cut is made by cutting into the tree horizontally to meet the first cut. This will leave a notch that the tree will fall into. Finally make the last cut on the opposite side of the tree. Make sure to have an escape route to get out of the trees way as it starts to fall.

Summary

Colorado Springs is a great place to be for the holidays. There are many options to choose from when it comes to cutting down your own live tree. When choosing and felling a tree in national forest, make sure to take safety precautions and abide by the rules and regulations of the state. Nurseries are also a great convenient option for getting a beautiful live tree.  Contact Precision Tree for additional tips and advice.