For many Alaskans, the holiday season isn’t complete without a trip into the woods to cut down a Christmas tree.

Designated cutting areas are now open across the state, including sites in the Mat-Su Valley, Fairbanks, and on the Kenai Peninsula. The Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection reminds residents to make sure they’re harvesting trees on state land and following local guidelines.

The process operates on the honor system — no permits required.

“General rules, one tree per household less than 15 feet tall. We want folks to cut the tree all the way down to the base so we don’t have little stumps sticking up there and things like that,” said Stephen Nickle with the Division of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Tree cutting on state land is allowed now through Christmas Day. F

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