GLADSTONE, MI - Want to score a holiday tree for just $5 while ensuring a cool outdoor adventure?

Then you'll want to take up the U.S. Forest Service on its permit for Christmas trees.

A few of the national forests in Michigan offer this sweet deal in both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas:

The Hiawatha National Forest - which covers two huge swaths of Michigan's Upper Peninsula - recently took to social media to remind people it just takes a cheap permit to cut down a fresh evergreen for the holidays.

"Did you know holiday trees are available for cutting on Hiawatha National Forest land?," U.S. Forest Service staff said. "If you are one who likes the "thrill of the hunt" -- the excitement of trudging through the snow in search of the perfect tree -- then we have the perfect opportunity for you!"

"For the price of a "tree tag" ($5) and a little sweat, you can cut your own tree from National Forest land!"

The two sections of the Hiawatha Forest cover nearly 895,000 acres in the U.P., and touch on three of the five Great Lakes.

To snag a tree permit, you'll need to stop in at one of the district ranger offices. Staff will give you some guidelines on where you can cut, and how to "flame proof" your tree. (We can't wait to hear what that means).

For more information, call these Hiawatha offices Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Munising (906) 387-2512

Rapid River (906) 474-6442

St. Ignace (906) 643-7900.

The Hiawatha National Forest covers two pieces of the U.P.

The Huron and Manistee National Forests also offer the Christmas tree permits. While the two forest areas are under one administrative team, they are two separate chunks of forest land, encompassing nearly one million acres of the Lower Peninsula.

To get a tree permit, visit or contact one of the Huron-Manistee's regional offices. Staff there can give you a map, guidelines on where to cut, and a permit tag for your tree.

Mio office

107 McKinley Road

Mio, MI 48647

Phone (989) 826-3252

Huron Shores office

5761 N. Skeel Road

Oscoda, MI 48750

Phone (989) 739-0728

Cadillac-Manistee office

412 Red Apple Road

Manistee, MI 49660

Phone (231) 723-2211

Baldwin/White Cloud office

650 North Michigan Ave.

Baldwin, MI 49304

Phone (231) 745-4631

Supervisor's office in Cadillac

1755 S. Mitchell St.

Cadillac, MI 49601

Phone (231) 775-2421

Map showing the Huron and Manistee national forests.

Christmas tree-cutting permits and pine-bough cutting permits are also available for the Ottawa National Forest in the western Upper Peninsula. This forest land also spans about a million acres. To get a permit here, check this listing for the regional offices.

The U.S Forest Service offers these quick facts and tips for people who want to cut down a Christmas tree on federal land:

Price and Availability

Tags are $5.00 per tag.

Each tag is good for 1 tree.

There is a limit of 3 tags (trees) per household.

Christmas Tree tags are intended for personal use.

Permits are sold from November 1st until the last day offices are open before Christmas.

Where Can I Cut?

Maps are available at all of our offices to help identify areas.

Make sure you are on National Forest System lands.

Respect private property owners by not trespassing.

Permits are not valid in timber sale areas or within 150 feet of any recreation sites.

You can also request a Firewood Permit Map, which will also show which areas are closed to cutting.

What Can I Cut?

You can cut any type of live conifer that is located in an area open for cutting.

Tress can't be taller than 20 feet.

No topping trees; (i.e. no cutting the top 10 feet off of a 30 foot tree).

Don't leave a stump larger than six (6) inches off the ground.

A valid permit MUST be attached to each tree before it is removed from the site at which it is cut and MUST remain on the tree in transit

Tree Tips