WASHINGTON — The initiative, which was unveiled by the Bureau of Land Management, commenced on Friday and will continue until the end of January 2026.

Under this program, the cost of permits for acquiring Christmas trees and firewood is significantly reduced to just $1 per tree or cord. However, there are limitations on the number of permits one can obtain.

“American families deserve genuine relief and savings during the holiday season,” remarked Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “At the Interior, we are ensuring they can warm their homes and maintain cherished traditions. The ‘One Dollar, One Tree’ initiative exemplifies how public lands can provide enduring benefits for Americans, making this season both brighter and more affordable for everyone.”

New areas for tree cutting have been designated in “overstocked” woodlands, with a focus on locations near communities, military bases, tribal lands, and rural counties that are expected to gain the most from increased access, as stated in the announcement.

The BLM said the initiative, which runs through Jan. 31, 2026, will help promote “forest thinning and hazardous fuel reduction across millions of acres.”

Permits are still required to cut things down and vary by state. Find a full list of requirements here. Visitors are allowed to harvest special forest products in “reasonable amounts,” like to build a fire at a campsite, without a permit. 

The BLM’s website said it sells between 30,000 to 40,000 cords of firewood a year. Special forest products found on public lands can be harvested for recreation, personal use or as a source of income, such as harvesting and selling fence posts and poles, according to BLM.