Oh Christmas Tree ~ In the White River National Forest
As families in Pitkin County clear away the Thanksgiving Feast this week,
they will also put away the yellow, gold and orange colors of fall. Pumpkins,
scarecrows and decorative corn will be replaced with the festive green and red or
bright blue and silver of the upcoming Holiday Season. With this change of décor,
many homes have begun to plan for the annual addition of the Christmas tree.
In Pitkin County adding the Christmas tree is more than pulling a plastic tree
out of a box, or wandering around a paved lot trying to select a pre-cut tree. Here, in
Snowmass Village and Aspen, a fresh tree straight from the forest is as easy as 1,2,3.
The Aspen Times reported this week that permits from the White River National
Forest are available for those individuals for whom cutting the annual tree is as
essential to their holiday traditions as cookies for Santa. Permits this year are $10
and can be purchased at any White River National Forest office.
There is nothing like an afternoon out in the White River National Forest on a
pleasant winter’s day walking among the trees and finding, ‘the perfect tree.’ Pitkin
County is home to hundreds of species of coniferous trees, such as Blue Spruce,
Douglas fir, Two-Needle Pinyon and the Common Juniper. All of these trees make
beautiful trees with which to decorate the home. The Douglas Fir and the Colorado
Blue Spruce are ranked in the United States in the top ten of favorite Christmas trees
(About.com), making the forests surrounding Aspen and Snowmass Village a
Christmas tree heaven with the best of the best trees from which to select. The
Pinyon tree is a unique tree, with a distinctly Southwestern feel ~ perfect for
someone looking for a tree with a very local flair or someone with Southwestern
décor in their home.
Christmas tree hunters should check with the White River National Forest for
specifications on the species of trees they can select, as well as the designated areas
in which they can tree-hunt when they purchase their permits. The White River
National Forest is also offering free maps of tree cutting areas. The beauty of the forest combined with the crisp, fresh air and crunchy white snow underfoot heightens the anticipation for the Holidays. As much fun as the tree-hunt is, the very best part of a freshly cut, and local tree is the zesty, pine smell, which fills the home and enhances the Holiday Spirit in every nook and cranny. Sprigs or branches cut from fresh pine trees make beautiful wreaths when wrapped with ribbons and adorned with berries or bows. These wreaths look beautiful when hung on doors and in windows and make thoughtful, hand-made gifts.
Find your own home, residence or condo tucked in amid the Christmas trees
of White River National Forest this year. To see these beautiful properties in the
Snowmass Village and Aspen area click here! www.GregRulon.com