As the holiday season nears , the U.S. Forest Service announced Friday that Christmas tree cutting permits will go on sale on Sunday.

Permits can be purchased online for $12.50, which includes an online fee or $10 at any of the national forest’s offices or local vendors.

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“Cutting your own Christmas tree is a great way to connect with the forest and create memories with your family,” said White River National Forest Supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams in a release. “Cutting a Christmas tree can help improve forest health by thinning densely populated stands of small-diameter trees, which helps other trees grow larger and can open areas that provide food for wildlife.”

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Individuals are limited to five permits and should be used for personal use only, officials said.

Families with fourth-graders are eligible for a free permit through the Every Kid Outdoors program. The permits can be acquired online or at local offices by presenting a valid pass or paper voucher from the Every Kid Outdoors website.

For complete details regarding the permits and list of local vendors, click here.

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