Christmas tree-cutting applications ready for Arizona national forests

PHOENIX Applications for a permit to cut a Christmas tree on one of four Arizona national forests will be available for download on the Tonto National Forest web page at www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto beginning today. Applications will also be available at all Forest Service offices in Arizona and at other locations throughout the Phoenix metro area. A list of these locations is available on the Tonto web page. A random drawing is used to issue permits because the demand for Christmas trees may exceed the supply of available permits, this year only 4,850 trees are available. Completed applications, including a $10 check or money order for the permit fee (cash will not be accepted), must be postmarked no later than Oct. 21 to receive consideration. Any applications postmarked after the deadline will not be accepted for the drawing and will be returned. Hand-delivered applications will not be accepted. Applicants may select up to six tree-cutting areas in order of preference. Chances of receiving a permit will increase based on the amount of tree-cutting areas selected. Some cutting area locations may require greater travel time. Changing weather and road conditions during the cutting period of Nov. 11 through Dec. 24 may also affect selections. A general map of cutting area locations with information about tree species and number of permits available in each cutting area is included with each application. The Apache-Sitgreaves NF has three tree-cutting areas: all three areas for any species of tree. The Kaibab NF has one cutting area available for piñon or juniper. The entire Prescott NF is available for any tree species. The Tonto NF has one cutting area available around Payson for either piñon or juniper. The Coconino NF will not be participating in the program this year due to pine bark beetle tree mortality. The drawing and processing of applications will begin Oct. 25. All successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified by mail after Nov. 11. If an applicant is successful, a permit and detailed cutting area map for the area will be issued. If an applicant is unsuccessful, the $10 application fee will be returned. Pick up an application at any Forest Service office or at public libraries in Apache Junction, Buckeye, Cave Creek, Chandler, Glendale, Phoenix, Mesa, Peoria, Tempe, Scottsdale or in the Maricopa County Public Library system beginning Sept. 12. See the attached list for a complete directory of application locations. For more information about the program, call the Christmas Tree Hotline: (602) 225-5258. AZ national forests Christmas tree-cutting Locations for 2005 Christmas Tree Applications Libraries: Apache Junction Library 1177 North Idaho Road Apache Junction, AZ 85219 480-474-8555 Buckeye Public Library 312 North 6th Street Buckeye, AZ 85326-2439 623-386-2778 Desert Foothills Library 38443 North Schoolhouse Road Cave Creek, AZ 85331-8647 480-488-2286 Chandler Public Libraries 22 South Delaware Chandler, AZ 85244 480-782-2816 Chandler Public Library-Sunshine Branch 4930 West Ray Road Chandler, AZ 85226 480-782-2842 Glendale Public Libraries 5959 West Brown Street Glendale, AZ 85302 623-930-3565 Maricopa County Public Libraries 17811 North 32nd Street Phoenix, AZ 85032 602-506-5741 Mesa Public Libraries 64 East 1st Street Mesa, AZ 85205 480-644-3721 Phoenix Public Libraries 1221 North Central Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85004 602-262-7939 Peoria Public Libraries 8401 West Monroe Street Peoria, AZ 85345 623-487-5150 Scottsdale Public Libraries 3839 North Drinkwater Boulevard Scottsdale, AZ 85251 480-312-7557 Tempe Public Libraries 3500 South Rural Road Tempe, AZ 85282 480-350-5500 Tonto NF Ranger Districts: Tonto National Forest Supervisors Office 2324 East McDowell Road Phoenix, AZ 85006-2440 (602) 225-5200