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Want to Cut Your Own Fresh Christmas Tree? Here's How

Lake Wales Ridge State Forest Renews Annual Tree Cutting Permit Program

Tom Paulson, City Editor | Last updated Dec 07, 2021 9:29pm0
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The Florida Forest Service offices are located at County Road 630, just east of Frostproof, and are open to issue permits beginning this Friday at 8:00 am. The Lake Wales Ridge State Forest serves to protect several rare or endangered species.

Photo courtesy Florida Forest Service count

Hiking is a popular activity for visitors at the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest

In a year where a shortage of Christmas trees is a looming nationwide problem, hardy individuals are fortunate to have another affordable solution available: cut your own at the Walk-in-the Water tract of the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest.

In a program offered annually at the nearby public lands, Lake Wales area residents are able to cut their own tree, but they have to use a hand-saw to do the work. No power tools are allowed in the forest. A tree-cutting permit costs only $10, a great deal when fresh trees cut in other states and brought to Florida cost far more.

Available trees are 10 feet to 15 feet tall, but may be trimmed back to the desired size after leaving the forest.

Obtaining a permit requires a visit to the on-site Florida Forest Service Headquarters on a Monday, Wednesday, or Friday beginning November 29. The office is located within the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest, at 851 County Road 630, just east of Frostproof, and north of Lake Reedy. Look for a brown wooden sign on the north side of the road and follow it to the park office, which is open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

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About the Forest

Camping, Hiking, Paddling, the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest is a Special Place

Robert Connors, Managing Editor

The Lake Wales Ridge State Forest consists of four tracts lying east of Lake Wales and Frostproof, stretching from Lake We-oh-ya-kapka (Walk-in-the-Water) to the Highlands County line. The forest stands upon ancient beach-front sand dunes, evidence of the seas that surrounded the higher ground of the Ridge three million years ago..

The Forest offers hiking and paddling, as well as camping by reservation at least 24 hours in advance.

Those entering the Forest are encouraged to be respectful of the nature and purpose of the land. The Lake Wales Ridge State Forest provides a habitat for 36 animals and 33 plants currently having federal or state status as threatened or endangered. Rare or endangered plants found in the forest include Carter's mustard, scrub-blazing star, scrub plum, bear grass, and pygmy fringe trees, which exhibit lacy white flowers in late spring.

The tree-cutting program is environmentally friendly, as it helps to control an over-proliferation of sand pines in the forest, allowing room for other species to grow, and open ground for endangered sand skinks and scrub jays, a bird found only in Florida's disappearing scrub habitat.

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