Cut Your Own Florida Christmas Tree in Ocala National Forest

With the purchase of a $10 permit, you can cut down your own Florida Christmas tree at designated locations within Ocala National Forest.

The Christmas Tree Permit Program is available from the end of November 2025 to December 25, 2025.

You can purchase a tree permit online from Recreation.gov.

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Cut Down Your Own Florida Christmas Tree in Ocala National Forest

Not only is it a memory-making experience, but you also support the environment by:

The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture is currently allowing people to go into Ocala National Forest and cut down sand pine trees in two designated areas:

FYI: The forest ranger stations in those areas are closed to the public, so you must purchase your permit online.

You may purchase permits for up to five trees. The cost is $10 per tree.

There are some things you need to know before you go to the forest.

Prepare your vehicle. – With the forest ranger stations closed to the public, you are pretty much on your own out there. Be sure to gas up your vehicle, and bring a map, and a copy of your permit. You’ll be driving on dirt roads so make sure your vehicle can handle it.
Be prepared to get dirty. – Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toed shoes.
Make sure someone knows where you are. – Cell service may be spotty or unavailable.
You’ll need to bring your own tools to cut your tree — a saw, gloves to protect your hands, a tarp, canvas fabric, or something else for your tree to lay on in the car. If you are securing it to the top of your vehicle, that tarp will be used to cover your tree and protect it from wind damage. Bring ropes or straps, too.
Cut from a densely forested area. The USDA asks that you cut from a densely forested area so remaining trees have more space to grow.
Inspect the tree well for any critters. Before you bring that tree into your home, be sure to shake it well to get rid of any insects or insect eggs that might be on it.

Each forest has limitations on the size of the tree you can cut and the species of trees that are permitted.
Tree Height: 40 feet maximum
Stump height: 6 inches maximum
Take the whole tree. Do not remove the top of the tree; cut down the entire tree

Do not cut on private land, wilderness areas, designated campgrounds, or existing tree plantations.
Do not cut in areas that have been planted with new trees.
Getting a Christmas Tree permit does not guarantee that you find a suitable tree!
Many trees in the Ocala National Forest are fun to harvest but not necessarily “show-room” quality trees.
Maps are available when Christmas Tree permitting begins.

Recreation.gov offers other ways to plan your trip in case you have more questions.