By kRWG News
New Mexico – It's not even Halloween yet, but the Lincoln National Forest is getting ready for the Christmas season.
Beginning Nov. 1, forest officials will have Christmas tree permits available at a cost of $5 each, one per household.
The permits can be purchased through Dec. 24 or by mail until Dec. 11.
If you're holding a permit, any live evergreen tree up to 10 feet high can be cut down or dug up in the Smokey Bear, Sacramento, or Guadalupe Ranger Districts.
Forest officials caution residents against cutting trees on private lands or within wilderness areas.
The permits can be purchased at forest offices in Alamogordo, Cloudcroft, Ruidoso, and Carlsbad, as well as at selected stores, chamber of commerce offices and other locations in communities throughout the region.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.