GOLDEN POND, Ky. (NewsFirst) — It may not be exactly like a Clark W Griswald family Christmas, but it might be as close as we can get. Families looking for a natural and sustainable way to decorate their homes this holiday season can get a free cedar Christmas tree permit from the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.
The permits are available only online from Nov. 24 to Dec. 24 at www.landbetweenthelakes.us/reservations. A permit allows a family to cut one cedar tree anywhere in the recreation area, except for certain restricted zones.
Yvonne Antes, a silviculturist at Land Between the Lakes, said cutting a cedar tree is a great tradition that also helps maintain open lands and promote wildlife habitat.
“Check along roadsides or within old forest openings to find your tree,” Antes said.
The trees must be less than 10 feet tall and the stumps must be less than 4 inches tall. Chainsaws may be used, but heavy equipment is prohibited.
Land Between the Lakes also advises families to follow safety guidelines for choosing and using a cut tree, such as keeping it watered, away from heat sources and discarding it when it shows signs of drying.
Land Between the Lakes is a 170,000-acre recreation area that spans parts of western Kentucky and Tennessee. It offers a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, fishing, boating and wildlife viewing.
