From Fall Color To Christmas Tree Permits

Thanksgiving Week marks two events in the national forests of northeast California, the end of fall color and the start of Christmas tree cutting.

Traveling to the north woods to cut a tree is a family adventure that for many is an annual tradition. Shasta-Trinity National Forest and Lassen National Forest are now issuing Christmas Tree cutting permits.  Cost of a permit is $10 which allows one tree per household.  CLICK HERE for further details.

Shasta Cascade color spotters report fall color being past peak across most of northeast California.  Though, spots of hot color can be seen flickering along the edges of lakes (as reported earlier this week), on forest floors and in the urban forests of Redding, Red Bluff and Chico.  Here’s the latest:

Shasta County (Past Peak) – A fraction of dogwood, oak and maple are still showing red and orange. YOU MISSED IT.

Butte County (Past Peak) – Autumn is hardly evident throughout most of Butte County, though Chico’s boulevards and the CSU Chico campus are still lovely with their landmark trees displaying vibrant red color.  YOU MISSED IT.

Trinity County (Past Peak) – Trinity is past peak, with remnant oaks dressed in pale yellow leaves, spotted brown. YOU MISSED IT.

Siskiyou County (Past Peak) – A winter chill has descended on Siskiyou County which is now past peak.  Lake Siskiyou is edged with fading yellow and orange. YOU MISSED IT.

Modoc County (Past Peak) – YOU MISSED IT.

Plumas County (Past Peak) – The first area of the Shasta Cascade to peak, Plumas County is also the last to carry significant color with oak and dogwood near Greenville and in the Indian Valley dressed in red, orange and fading yellow. YOU MISSED IT.

Tehama County (Past Peak) – Fall has flamed out in Tehama County, with its oaks carrying yellow and brown speckled leaves. YOU MISSED IT.

Lassen County (Past Peak) – YOU MISSED IT.