Need a Christmas tree now that Thanksgiving is over? Well, look no further than Wisconsin’s public forests.

Many state forests allow you to cut down a tree for personal use — provided you have a permit and follow a few rules.  

Here’s how to avoid the naughty list at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Where are the public forests?

Trees can be cut down in the Brule River, Flambeau River, Governor Earl Peshtigo River, Governor Knowles and Northern Highland-American Legion state forests.

Brule River State Forest in Douglas County is home to a lot of balsam fir, a Christmas-tree favorite with its short needles that last long and smell great. Evergreens in this forest also include white pine and white spruce. Mound ranger station, W10325 Highway 12, (715) 284-4103. 

Flambeau River State Forest, Winter: Look for white and black spruce, red and white pine, and balsam fir at this forest in Sawyer and Rusk counties just south of the CNNF. W1613 County Road W, Winter, (715) 332-5271.  

Governor Earl Peshtigo River, Crivitz: Red, white and jack pines are the predominate evergreens in this forest in Marinette and Oconto counties in northeastern Wisconsin. N10008 Paust Lane, Crivitz, 715-757-3965

Governor Knowles State Forest, Grantsburg: Find jack, white and red pines in this forest along the St. Croix River in northwestern Wisconsin. 325 Highway 70, Grantsburg, (715) 463-2898.

Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest, Woodruff: Permits for this forest allow you to harvest a balsam fir, but not within sight of a public road, trail or body of water. Permits are available at the Clear Lake Visitor Station, 8282 Woodruff Road, Woodruff, (715) 356-3668; and the Crystal Lake Visitor Station, 3237 Crystal Lake Road, Boulder Junction, (715) 542-3923. 

Holiday tree cutting is not offered at other DNR properties. However, some county forests allow non-commercial harvest of holiday trees, as does the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Contact the forest where you’d like to cut a holiday tree before venturing out so that you know harvesting guidelines.

How much is a permit?

Purchase a permit at the headquarters of each forest. The price may vary slightly from property to property, but the average cost is $5 per tree.

Where can I cut a tree down?

Harvesting is prohibited within 100 feet or visual distance of roads, trails and water, and there is no harvesting from campgrounds or recreation areas, according to the DNR.

Trees must be cut at ground level with a maximum height of 30 feet. Trees taken from state forests cannot be resold.

Check the spongy moth map

Check the spongy moth quarantine map maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to ensure you don’t travel with your tree out of the quarantined area. The area prohibits items from being shipped that could have the insect or its eggs.