Press Release: Free Christmas trees

SANTA FE – Land Commissioner Patrick Lyons today announced the State Land Office will issue free Christmas tree permits to New Mexico residents effective immediately through December 20th.
 
The two parcels of state trust lands open to the public for Christmas tree cutting are located near Grants and Socorro.
 
Permits and maps may be picked up at the State Land Office’s main office in Santa Fe, at the district offices in Albuquerque or Socorro, at the Christmas tree area, or online at www.nmstatelands.org.
 
Guidelines:

Sites are open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Only Pinon and Juniper trees may be harvested.  Removing Ponderosa Pine is prohibited.

Harvesting trees for commercial purposes is prohibited.

Stumps must be cut at ground level.

Camping is not allowed.

Permits must be signed by a State Land Office employee or by a site steward to be valid, and permits must be in the individual’s possession while on site.

In the event of inclement weather and muddy road conditions sites will be closed.
Stay within set boundaries.
 
Directions from Albuquerque to the Grants site, known as Zuni Public Christmas Tree Area:

Travel Interstate 40 west to Grants; take exit 81 to NM Highway 53 south toward San Rafael/Ramah and continue approximately 30 miles to the site, located on the right hand side of the road; look for flags and signs.

Directions from Socorro to the Datil Public Christmas Tree Area:
Travel US Highway 60 west to Datil; head west on NM State Road 12 approximately 2.5 miles; the site is located on the north side of NM State Road 12.

For more information, please contact Albuquerque District Resource Manager Andrew Price,  (505) 272-7526; (505) 290-7831; or Socorro District Resource Manager Willie
Lucero, 505-835-5168.