Hunt is on for Christmas trees at Metolius Preserve

Sisters residents and visitors can cut their own Christmas tree and at the same time make a donation to the Deschutes Basin Land Trust in the annual Metolius Preserve Christmas Tree Hunt scheduled for Saturday, December 3, from 1 to 4 p.m.

“We have invited members of the Land Trust to visit the area to cut a Christmas tree from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the same day,” said Sarah Mowry, outreach coordinator for the trust. “Then, the public is invited out that afternoon from 1 to 4 p.m. to hunt for their tree. We want them to enjoy the hunt, hot drinks and forestry tours while helping us restore the native forests of the Metolius Preserve.”

Mowry suggests that tree hunters bring their own saw, gloves, rope and warm clothes. “We are suggesting a $10 donation to the Land Trust if you find your tree,” she added. Trees that are available for cutting are true firs that the Trust is removing from the area to restore the forest to ponderosa pine.

Tree hunters are asked to come to the North Fork Kiosk. That site is signed off Forest Service Road 1216 several miles west of the Camp Sherman Store. Land Trust members will know the location, but others may need help finding it, Mowry stated. She suggests that people needing more information and directions visit the organization’s Web site at http://www.deschuteslandtrust.org or call (541) 330-0017.

The Metolius Preserve is a 1,240-acre area located west of Sisters between the Camp Sherman Road and the Jack Lake Road along Lake Creek, surrounded by the Deschutes National Forest. The Land Trust acquired it two years ago as a forest to demonstrate good land management practices and as an outdoor learning center.