Yule tree sale and rules posted

With the holiday season approaching, the U.S. Forest Service has announced its Christmas tree permit sale and harvesting rules for the season.

Trees must always be cut close to the ground, leaving a stump no higher than 6 inches. Permits must be firmly attached to the tree before leaving the cutting area. Tree topping is not allowed.

All recreational and administrative sites are off limits to cutting. Trees must be at least 300 feet from the road or they cannot be harvested.

Forest Service officials advise the public to be aware of road conditions and weather and to prepare for a potentially longer-than-expected excursion. Chains, four-wheel drive vehicles or snowmobiles are recommended, as are boots, additional clothing, a container of hot liquid, water, food, flashlights, an emergency kit, a hatchet, axe or handsaw, and a rope for tying down the tree. A shovel should be brought to dig snow away from the tree.

Here is a list of available tree permits:

• Ashley National Forest:

Flaming Gorge Ranger District: Permits on sale for $10, Nov. 21- Dec. 25. Trees must be 15 feet or less and there is a limit of one tree per family.

Vernal Ranger District: Permits on sale Nov. 21, $10, limit one tree per family. Limitations depend on cutting area.

Roosevelt and Duchesne ranger districts: Permits on sale Nov. 21, $10, limit one tree per family. All trees must be cut on or before Dec. 15.

• Dixie National Forest:

Cedar City Ranger District: Permits became available Nov. 3, $5, limit one tree per family. Sub-alpine fir, white fir, pinyon pine and juniper only in cutting area northeast of U-143.

Escalante Ranger District: Permits became available Nov. 3, $5, limit one tree per family, blue spruce and bristle cone pines excluded.

Powell Ranger District: Permits became available Nov. 3, $5, limit one tree per family, ponderosa pine excluded.

St. George Interagency Visitor District: Permits became available Nov. 3, $5, limit one tree per family, pinyon pine and juniper only.

Teasdale Ranger District: Permits $5, limit one tree per family.

• Fishlake National Forest: