As of today, Christmas tree harvesting is allowed in areas of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, the Chugach National Forest and areas of state land.
In all three areas, trees can be harvested until Christmas Day, with a limit of one per household. No permits are required to cut trees. All harvested trees must be cut low to the ground without leaving a stump.
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
A spruce tree no larger than 20 feet in height can be harvested from any area of the refuge excepting around Refuge Headquarters, the Visitor Center, or along Ski Hill Road.
Trees must be harvested at least 150 feet from roads, trails, campgrounds and waterways.
For more information, reach the refuge office during business hours at 907-262-7021.
Chugach National Forest
Trees can be harvested from any area of the forest, which stretches from around Cooper Landing to the eastern edge of the Kenai Peninsula, south to Seward and north to Girdwood. Trees must be harvested at least 200 feet from roads and 450 feet away from campgrounds, trails and bodies of water.
The forest recommends using plain tap water refilled daily to care for a harvested tree, while also keeping it away from direct sources of heat.
For more information, visig fs.usda.gov/chugach.
State Department of Natural Resources
Trees can be harvested that are less than 15 feet tall, outside of Alaska State Parks and State Department of Transportation and Public Facilities rights of way.
On the southern Kenai Peninsula, the state describes several areas where Christmas tree harvest is allowed. Trees can be taken from areas off East End Road near Homer — either 1.6 or 2.3 miles down Basargin Road. Trees can be cut off of Cohoe Loop Road between Flounder Street and Cohoe Beach Road. There is a harvest area around 5 miles down Oil Well Road in Ninilchik. There are also areas near the Old Sterling Highway and Wise Owl/Falls Creek Avenue.
Full maps of areas of state land open to tree cutting can be found at dnr.alaska.gov. People with questions can call the department public information center in Anchorage at 907-269-8400.
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.
