Douglas County regrets to announce that the annual Christmas Tree cutting event will not be held this year.
The County has completed the assessment for the goals of the tree cutting program at Spruce Mountain, and it has been determined that the goals for the identified areas of the forest have been met, and therefore the tree cutting event at Spruce Mountain has come to an end for the identified area. The primary purpose of holding the event that began in 2005 was to assist in thinning the forest that was very overgrown. Over the past 16 years, the Christmas Tree cutting event has been a popular event and a family tradition for some.
Another factor in the decision was staff discovered Dwarf Mistletoe and Rocky Mountain Pine Beetle infestations within the forest where the Christmas Tree event was held. Both of these infestations weaken the trees and result in tree mortality. Any further thinning in this area could result in a negative impact on forest health.
Open Space staff will continue to explore other areas/properties that are in need of the same type of management to see if this program can be offered in the future