Summary
President Donald Trump's administration announced a new policy to reduce the cost of Christmas tree and firewood permits for American families, as part of a holiday affordability effort. The initiative lowers permit fees to $1 per tree or cord of wood, potentially saving families around $400 during the holiday season. The policy also aims to support wildfire prevention and improve forest health on public lands.
Key Facts
- The Interior Department's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is reducing Christmas tree and firewood permit fees to $1 through January 31, 2026.
- This change could save American families roughly $400, as the average retail cost of a Christmas tree is about $90.
- The program allows people to cut trees from national forests, which helps with forest management and reduces wildfire risks.
- Families can now collect up to 10 cords of firewood and three Christmas trees under this program, with possible higher limits in resource-abundant areas.
- Most Americans live within two hours of a National Forest, enabling many to benefit from the reduced costs.
- The initiative supports forest health by thinning out smaller trees that compete for resources and could fuel wildfires if left uncut.
- The U.S. Department of the Interior stated that the program aligns with President Trump's goal to lower costs for Americans.
