Spruce trees are dusted with snow on Dec. 22, 2020, in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge near Soldotna, Alaska. Some areas of the refuge are open to harvest of holiday trees for non-commercial uses beginning Thanksgiving. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Spruce trees are dusted with snow on Dec. 22, 2020, in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge near Soldotna, Alaska. Some areas of the refuge are open to harvest of holiday trees for non-commercial uses beginning Thanksgiving. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Christmas tree cutting on refuge opens Thanksgiving

Tree cutting will be open until Christmas Day

Christmas tree cutting will be allowed in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge starting Thanksgiving Day, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Tuesday.

Christmas tree cutting will be open until Christmas Day, free for personal use with a limit of one per household, a news release says.

Trees can be taken using hand tools from anywhere on the refuge “except within 150 feet of a road, lake, stream, trail, campground, or picnic area.”

They may not be taller than 20 feet. Those taking trees are requested to trim stumps as close to the ground as possible, the release says, “for aesthetic reasons.”

Tree cutting is also not permitted around Refuge Headquarters, the Visitor Center, or along Ski Hill Road.

For more information, reach the refuge office during business hours at 907-262-7021.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

Soldotna City Council members Jordan Chilson, left, and Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings participate in the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL candidate forum series, Thursday, Sept. 5 at the Soldotna Public Library . (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
City council candidates talk Soldotna’s future at forum

Incumbents Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings and Jordan Chilson are running for the council’s two open seats

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Former KPBSD custodian charged with sex abuse of a minor

The charges stem from incidents alleged to have taken place while the man was working at Soldotna Middle School in 2013

Peperoncini swims out into the mouth of the Kenai River after being released from the Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program at North Kenai Beach in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Crowd gathers for rainy release of harbor seals

Four harbor seals were released from the Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program

Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion
Soldotna head coach Galen Brantley Jr. leads his team back on the field after halftime Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in the Division II championship game at Service High School in Anchorage, Alaska.
Brantley Jr. can set state wins record Friday

The pieces of the puzzle in place for Soldotna football include community, year-round strength training, detailed coaching, and solid assistant coaches and administration

From left: Sara, Kristen and Jon Faulkner pose with Kristen's two gold medals at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France. (Photo provided by Jon Faulkner)
From Homer dreams to Olympic gold

Kristen Faulkner shares experiences at Paris Games, Tour de France

Assembly Vice President Tyson Cox speaks during a Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly work session in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Assembly OKs new Tourism Industry Working Group

Another resolution was considered in June that would have added a bed tax question to the October ballot

Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel prepares to spin one of the wheels that determine the magic weight at the closing ceremony of the Kenai Silver Salmon Derby on Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Silver Salmon Derby returns Tuesday

The derby is unlike others because the winning fish is not the largest

(from left to right) Homer city mayoral candidates Jim Anderson and Rachel Lord and incumbent city council candidates Donna Aderhold and Shelly Erickson answer questions during a forum held on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in the Homer Public Library Fireplace Lounge in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Homer council, mayoral candidates talk city goals, development

A public forum was hosted by KBBI and the Peninsula Clarion last Thursday

Flyer for the 2024 Candidate Forum Series by KDLL 91.9 FM and the Peninsula Clarion. (Ashlyn O’Hara/KDLL 91.9)
Clarion and KDLL candidate forum series continues, assembly forum canceled

Thursday’s forum will feature Soldotna City Council candidates Jordan Chilson and Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings

Most Read