Now that the Thanksgiving feasting is over, a lot of people have started thinking about adding something evergreen to the house.

The South Coast offers plenty of places to go on a Christmas tree hunting expedition. So dust off your saws and dig out your hiking boots — it’s time to find the perfect tree.

Managers of local public forest lands have begun offering tree cutting permits just in time for those who want to burn off turkey day leftovers in search of a tree. The Medford and Coos Bay U.S. Bureau of Land Management  District, the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and Siuslaw National Forest are selling Christmas tree cutting permits this week.

The personal use permits are available at vendors throughout the region (see related story) and cost $5 per tree.  The permits cover areas in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and Siuslaw National Forest and the Coos Bay BLM district open to personal use tree harvesting. Maps with directions to cutting areas will be provided.  Permits are limited to five per person.

Before venturing out, tree seekers need to keep a few things in mind.

Do

• Be prepared for cold weather. Most Forest Service and BLM roads are not plowed in the winter. Bring along cold weather clothing and check with local road conditions before you leave. 

• Tell family or friends your travel plans before you leave. 

• Clean your vehicle of mud and plant materials before entry into National Forest or BLM lands. Respect all road and area closures.

• Start your trip to the forest with a full tank of gas.  

• Bring along items that you might need, such as a reliable map, food, tire chains, water, warm clothing, blankets, a first aid kit, matches, flares, a jack, lug wrench and a shovel. 

• Harvest only trees that are less than 12 feet tall. Cut your tree only if there is another tree within 12 feet of it.             

• Take the entire tree — not just the top of one. The tree should be cut as close to the ground as possible, and not more than 12 inches above the ground.

• Validate the permit by cutting out the year and date and attaching it to the tree before hauling it out of the forest.

Don’ts

• Christmas tree harvest is not allowed in wilderness areas, campgrounds and picnic areas, developed recreation areas, National Monuments, research natural areas, areas of critical environmental concern, within fences or posted tree plantations, within 200 feet of state highways or on private lands. 

• Tree cutting is also not permitted within Wild and Scenic Rogue River corridor and recreation areas.

• Don’t resell permits or trees.

Safety at home

The National Christmas Tree Association and American Forests offer these tips.

• Use a stand with an adequate water holding capacity for the tree. As a general rule, stands should provide 1 quart of water per inch of stem diameter. These days, you can buy devices that help maintain a constant water level in the stand.

• Use a stand that fits your tree. Avoid whittling the sides of the trunk down to fit a stand. Here’s why: The outer layers of wood are the most efficient in taking up water and should not be removed.

• Keep trees away from heat, including fireplaces, heaters, heat vents and direct sunlight. Lowering the room temperature will slow the drying process, too.

• Check the stand daily to make sure that the level of water does not go below the base of the tree. If the water level drops below the trunk, a seal will form, preventing the tree from absorbing water.

• Use lights that produce low heat, such as miniature lights.

• Inspect light sets prior to placing them on the tree. If worn, replace them.

• Do not overload circuits.

• Always turn off tree lights when leaving the house or when going to bed.

• Never burn any part of a Christmas tree in a wood stove or fireplace. The pitch content in the bark and needles can cause them to burst into flames.