onX Reveals the Top 5 States for Finding Public Land Christmas Trees
By analyzing public lands data, coniferous tree distribution, satellite imagery, and permit guidelines, onX makes it easy to create cherished holiday traditions.
Today, onX, a leader in digital outdoor navigation, unveiled the top 5 states where adventurers can legally cut down their own Christmas tree land. By analyzing its coniferous tree distribution layer, satellite imagery, and public lands data, onX identified the top states with ample national forest acreage in proximity to large population centers home to plentiful evergreen tree species.
Finding your own Christmas tree on national forest land is a timeless tradition, one enjoyed by outdoor enthusiasts in 22 US states. Tree permits, available via recreation.gov, cost between $5 and $20, a considerable savings–as the average cost of pre-cut trees can range from $80 to $100.
“For some, finding a nearby national forest full of evergreen tree species may be as easy as a walk in the woods,” explained Brian Riordan, onX Senior Director of Geospatial, “but for most, it can be an adventure. onX has tools to help outdoor enthusiasts find the best tree and stay compliant with permit regulations.”
onX’s color-coded public and private land boundary information helps users easily identify national forest land, as well as private land boundaries. onX Hunt’s Coniferous Tree Distribution Layer, particularly when overlaid with satellite imagery views, can aid users in finding clusters of fir trees. The onX apps also feature a tracker tool, so intrepid tree searchers can easily re-trace their steps and find their way back to their vehicle at the end of the day. Waypoints, or customizable icons, can mark promising trees for future years. The line distance tool can help ensure that trees are harvested at the proper distance from riparian areas, roads, trails, campgrounds, and other places outlined by each national forest. Lastly, 3D maps help gauge terrain, recent satellite imagery, and weather forecasts can help predict snow and offline maps can ensure navigability, even far from cell service.
“From towering pines to fragrant firs, onX is helping families find the perfect tree while embracing the spirit of adventure,” said Riordan. “It’s another way to celebrate access to our country’s public land, take an active part in national forest management, and create lifelong memories as we get ready for the holiday season.”
To identify the top states for Christmas tree harvest, states were evaluated based on the number of national forests that offer tree harvest, the proximity of these opportunities to urban centers, and the amount of national forest covered by their coniferous trees (“Coniferous Tree Layer abundance rank”).
Top 5 States for Cutting Down a Christmas Tree on Public Land
- Oregon
- Number of national forests that allow Christmas tree harvest: 11
- National forests close to large population centers:
- Portland: Mt. Hood National Forest
- Eugene: Willamette National Forest
- Bend: Desheutes National Forest
- Coniferous Tree Layer abundance rank: 1
- Idaho
- Number of national forests that allow Christmas tree harvest: 7
- National forest close to large population centers:
- Boise: Boise National Forest
- Coniferous Tree Layer abundance rank: 3
- Montana
- Number of National Forests that allow Christmas tree harvest: 7
- National Forests close by to large population centers
- Bozeman: Gallatin National Forest
- Missoula: Lolo National Forest
- Coniferous Tree Layer abundance rank: 5
- Washington
- Number of national forests that allow Christmas tree harvest: 5
- National forest close to large population centers:
- Seattle: Olympic National Forest, Mt. Baker National Forest
- Coniferous Tree Layer abundance rank: 2
- California
- Number of national forests that allow Christmas tree harvest: 11
- National forest close by to large population centers
- Sacramento: Mendocino National Forest, Eldorado National Forest
- Coniferous Tree Layer abundance rank: 7
Honorable mention: Colorado
Midwest and Eastern States to Cut a Christmas Tree
Since most tree harvest opportunities are located in the western United States, onX identified states in the midwest and eastern regions of the country that also contain abundant tree harvest opportunities. These states are:
- Michigan
- Huron-Manistee National Forest, Hiawatha National Forest, Ottawa National Forest
- Vermont
- Green Mountain National Forest
- New Hampshire
- White Mountain National Forest
- West Virginia
- Monongahela National Forest
Whether trekking through the dense forests of Washington or exploring the serene woodlands of Montana, onX provides the tools and guidance to make your tree-cutting adventure memorable.
For more information on permits, tree-cutting guidelines, and how to plan your trip, visit https://www.recreation.gov/tree-permits/.
About onX
Founded in 2009, onX is a pioneer in digital outdoor navigation, developing software that helps inform, inspire, and empower outdoor recreationists. onX Hunt, onX Offroad, onX Backcountry, and onX Fish make up the company’s suite of apps and are built by explorers for explorers. Because off-the-beaten-path experiences are at the heart of what onX does, the company also leads initiatives to protect and expand access to public land. Since 2018, onX has worked with various partners to secure and improve public land access through direct funding and by supporting key legislation with data analysis and research. Learn more: https://www.onxmaps.com/about