How to get a $5 Christmas tree from the Forest Service
"Dad, didn't they invent tree lots so people wouldn't have to drive all the way out to nowhere and waste a whole Saturday?
They made them because people forgot how to have an old-fashioned Christmas and are satisfied with scrawny, overpriced trees that have no special meaning.
My toes are numb.
See kids, this is what our forefathers did.
I can't feel my leg.
They walked out into the woods, picked it that special tree and cut it with their bare hands.
Mom, I can't feel my hips.
Clark.
Yes, honey?
Audrey's frozen from the waist down.
That's all part of the experience, honey."
We have been cutting down our own trees for years in Montana. My husband insists on getting the best tree and will make us hike for hours just to get a good one. Luckily no one has been frozen from the waist down (yet). If you're ready to kick off your old fashioned family Christmas OG style you'll want to get your own tree. They're environmentally friendly, they smell great in your house and you get to drag your kids out in the woods to waste a whole a Saturday bonding with you! You'll have to check with your local National Forest Service to see where you can go to cut down a tree. Most permits are $5-$20 depending on what area you are in.
Why is cutting down a tree in the National Forest good for the environment? This seems counterintuitive right? But thinning out smaller trees can help larger trees stay healthy. Cutting down smaller trees keeps tree diseases at bay because the closer trees are to each other the easier it is for those diseases to be transmitted to other trees. It also helps the larger trees grow bigger as they don't have to compete for limited resources. Forest fires are also mitigated by cutting down smaller trees as they are much easier to catch fire and tend to fuel fires faster so it helps to keep some of that tinder out of the forest. 
There are very important guidelines you need to follow when cutting down your own tree so make sure you read your permit carefully! Each forest has specific areas that are permitted for cutting so make sure you do not cut in other areas as you may disturb wildlife or delicate ecosystems.
Do not cut a tree taller than 10 feet! It is hard to judge size in the forest so it can help to have an idea of height (measure off the tallest person in your family or bring a ski pole or something to help give an idea of size). If it is snowy you should dig down as well. To cut your tree all you need is a small hand saw with a large tooth on it. You can get these at any hardware store for fairly cheap. You will also need rope or nylon strapping to attach the tree to the roof of your vehicle so make sure you bring plenty of that along with you as well.
Cut all the way to down! Do not leave more than a 6 inch stump or any live green branches on your stump or the stump with turn into a bush and defeat the purpose of thinning trees. You cannot top off a tree! You might see a really nice looking top half of a tree but you can't just take the top and leave the rest. Again, this defeats the purpose of thinning the trees.
Be prepared! Don't let your kids get frozen from the waist down! Dress warm, bring plenty of snacks, water and hot cocoa! Make it a fun day but make sure to pack out everything you bring in too. Watch for weather and be aware of any storms and remember daylight hours are short this time of year so don't get stuck in the dark! Make sure you have your phone or an emergency device to reach help if needed.
Once you get that bad boy home you'll want to cut the lower branches off so you'll have plenty of room for the gifts. Plus, the lower branches tend to be dryer and less appealing so this will make your tree look nicer. You can use these cuttings to make centerpieces on the table or mantle or if you have enough, plant them in some soil in a pot on your stoop with some bows and branches for a cute decorative arrangement for the holidays - this won't last through the winter FYI but will keep for quite a while!
Put your tree in a spot away from direct heat...you don't want your tree right next to your fireplace where it can catch fire easily or up against a radiator where it will get hot and dry out quickly. Make sure to put your LOTS of water in your tree stand -the first few days home your tree will soak up literally gallons of water so keep an eye on it every day and fill it up to keep your tree from drying out. This will prevent the needles from dropping and making a huge mess all over your house (your vacuum will thank you). After a few days the tree will soak up less and less so you won't need to fill it up as much so just peeking at the stand every few days should be ok. Just make sure it never dries out as this can be a major fire hazard.
When it's time to say goodbye to your tree check and see if your town has tree disposal services. Some cities and towns will take your trees and compost them to use for city landscaping. Check out some of our other posts to see some more ideas of things to do with your pine needles and leftover pine cuttings!
Happy Holidays!