Area families who are willing and able to cut down their own Christmas tree can head to Land Between the Lakes to harvest a free cedar tree between Nov. 26 and Dec. 24.
The U.S. Forest Service, which manages LBL, requires a permit to cut a cedar tree. Those are available online.
“Taking the family out into the woods to look for the perfect Christmas tree is a great holiday tradition. Check along roadsides or within old forest openings to find your tree,” LBL silviculturist Yvonne Antes said in a press release. “The cedar tree program also helps Land Between the Lakes maintain open lands and promote diverse wildlife habitat.”
Cedar trees may be cut anywhere in LBL except in the following places:
- Within sight of U.S. 68
- Woodlands Trace National Scenic Byway
- Cemeteries
- Facilities, including the Elk & Bison Prairie
- Nature Watch Areas
- Campgrounds
- Other mowed areas
Cedar trees being cut must be less than 10 feet tall. Additional guidelines are available here.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. She spent 30 years as a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition.
