When it comes to putting up a Christmas tree do you go artificial, pre-lit or fresh cut?
If you want to be like Paul Bunyan and cut down a tree, you'll need to purchase a tree permit and tag from one of Arizona's National Forests.
Next week, those permits go on sale. Each permit is $15 ($10 at Coronado National Forest) and allows you to cut down one tree in a designated area of the national forest you purchased it from.
Scroll down to see when and where permits will be sold:
APACHE-SITGREAVES NATIONAL FOREST (STILL AVAILABLE)
Update (12/6/16): They still have more than 3,000 Christmas tree permits available, according to the Supervisor's Office.
Christmas tree permits went on sale Oct 1 and will be available for purchase through Dec. 24. There are 5,800 permits available, and they can be purchased at all five ranger districts: Alpine, Black Mesa, Clifton, Lakeside and Springerville during regular hours.
Trees can be cut between Oct. 3 - Dec. 24.
Christmas tree hotline: 928-333-6229. Read more details here.
COCONINO NATIONAL FOREST (SOLD OUT)
A total of 600 tree permits will go on Friday, Nov. 18 at three of the park's ranger stations and offices. The permits are $15 and given on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Mongollon Rim Ranger Station will have 300 permits available, the Flagstaff Ranger Station will have 200 permits, and 100 permits will be available at the Forest Supervisor's Office.
CORONADO NATIONAL FOREST (200 AVAILABLE)
Update (12/6/16): There are still 200 permits available at the Douglas Ranger District office.
Tree permits at Coronado National Forest go on sale Nov. 15. They can be purchased from the Douglas Ranger District Office, 1192 W. Saddle View Road, Douglas, through the mail or via telephone.
Trees can be cut starting Nov. 25 within the Chiricahua and Dragoon mountains. More information here.
KAIBAB NATIONAL FOREST (300+ STILL AVAILABLE)
Update (12/6/16): The North Kaibab ranger district has 180 permits still available. Permits were still available at Tusayan (191 permits) and Williams (108 permits) ranger districts.
Christmas tree permits will go on sale Wednesday, Nov. 16. Kaibab will have a total of 1,800 permits available. They can be purchased at the North Kaibab Ranger District (800 permits), Tusayan Ranger District (500) and Williams Ranger District (500).
Trees can be cut Nov. 16 - Dec. 24. Details and contact information.
PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST (200 AVAILABLE)
Update (12/6/16): 100 permits are available at Chino Valley Ranger Station and at Verde Ranger Station. The Bradshaw Ranger Station is sold out.
A total of 500 Christmas tree permits will be sold at Prescott National Forest.
On Nov. 19, 300 permits will be available at the Bradshaw Ranger District and 100 at the Chino Valley Ranger Station.
An additional 100 permits will go on sale Monday, Nov. 21 and be available for purchase at the Verde Ranger District. Click here for details.
TONTO NATIONAL FOREST (SOLD OUT)
The Tonto National Forest will begin selling its 2,000 Christmas tree permits on Wednesday, Nov. 16.
Tonto Supervisor's Office, Mesa Ranger District and Cave Creek Ranger District will all have 500 permits available. The Payson Ranger District will have 475 permits and the Pleasant Valley Ranger District will have 25.
Trees can be cut on Nov. 18 - Dec. 24. More information here.
HOW TO GET A FREE CHRISTMAS TREE PERMIT
Through President Barack Obama's Every Kid In A Park initiative, which launched Sept. 1, 2015, fourth graders and their families can explore the National Parks for free for that year.
As part of that program, Arizona's parks are including one Christmas tree permit. Fourth graders have to go online, sign-up and print off their pass. Electronic copies are not accepted. Specific details here.
