Christmas trees from Utah trust lands

The Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration offered people the chance to try what used to be a holiday tradition: harvesting their own fresh-cut Christmas tree.

Bob Hales, Range Conservation Officer with the Trust Lands Administration, called it "a great opportunity to get out with family and friends." Permits to cut the trees, located on selected parcels of state land, ranged from $5 to $7. "The price is right," Hales said, "and it's a lot of fun!"

At least 400 people agreed: that was the number of permits the Trust Lands Administration expected to sell, and all 400 had sold by November 29. The demand was so great, in fact, they had to find more trees!

All proceeds from the tree sales went to Utah's schools and other beneficiaries.