Personal Christmas tree cutting begins in Mat-Su

Beginning this weekend, residents of the Matanuska Susitna Borough can harvest their own Christmas trees at a new location, on the northwest corner of the intersection of Church and Seldon Roads in Wasilla.

But before people grab their axes or chainsaws and make the trek to find the perfect tree, there are a few things residents should be aware of. First, residents will need to have a permit before heading out, and there is a limit of one tree per household. Also, the boundaries are unmarked, so it is the responsibility of the permitted to make sure they are on Borough-owned property.

The trees must also be no more than 15 feet high, and no tree-topping. And, the tree is for personal use, not to be bartered or sold.

This will also be a truly Alaskan experience, as the roads and trails to the trees may not be completely passable by highway vehicles, so care should be taken when trying to navigate unfamiliar roads.

Access to this site could be challenging until next week, as recent weather has wreaked havoc on Borough roads. The Borough expects to able to plow out the parking area next week. We appreciate your patience.

People are asked to clean up any and all trash once they have found and cut down their tree, ensuring that others may also enjoy the experience.

For more information, please visit www.ecommerce.matsugov.us