Trees and boughs cannot be cut down or removed from the state’s 2.1 million acres of trust forests, according to a Washington State Department of Natural Resources release.

There are several areas near Central Kitsap County and Bremerton that are state trust land and off-limits to Christmas tree cutting including Tahuya State Forest west of Belfair, Green Mountain State Forest west of Bremerton, Sherwood Forest south of Allyn and the Stavis Natural Resources Conservation Area.

DNR is steward or forested state trust lands, managed to help fund construction of public schools, universities and other state institutions.

“Heading out in early December to cut a Christmas tree is a family tradition for many,” Peter Goldmark, commissioner of public lands, said in the release.

“Cutting trees from state trust forests isn’t allowed. These trees need to grow to build future public schools in our state, as well as provide wildlife habitat and clean water and air.”

People are still able to cut their own tree for the holiday at private “you-cut” locations and the national forest offers permits for cutting on federal lands.