by Rebecca Kieran

Some opt for the convenience of a store-bought plastic tree that comes out of the box already decorated and ready to put up. But then there are those who choose to make the Christmas tree selection a family outing. Pack up the kids, leash the dogs, grab a saw and head out to the farm, where the selection process begins: What type of tree? How tall? How bushy? And how long will the kids tolerate walking around a tree farm
before there’s a breakdown? Before you embark on that adventure, check out this list of local tree providers.

Clemsonville Christmas Tree Farm

10120 Clemsonville Rd, Union Bridge • 410-848-6083 • www.clemsonville.com
Dates: Nov 29-Dec 24
Hours:Daily 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Features: Various pine, spruce and fir. All trees are $25. Decorated barn with Santa sleeping. Complimentary punch and cookies.

Davidson Christmas Tree Farm

1101 Emory Church Rd, Upperco • 410-239-6556 • www.davidsonchristmastreefarm.com
Dates: Nov 23-24, and Nov 29-Dec 23
Hours: Noon – 5 p.m. Mon-Thurs; 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Fri-Sun
Features: Fraser fir, Douglas fir, Concolor fir, Canaan fir, Balsam fir, white pine, Norway spruce, Serbian spruce, Colorado blue spruce, white spruce, Korean fir, Nordmann fir and Meyer spruce. Snack bar and gift shop, tractor-pull wagon rides on weekends. Freshly made wreaths, roping, cutting assistance, tree shaking, baling, and drilling for free. Santa visits on select weekends. Credit cards accepted.

Fra-Mar Tree Farm

3601 Shiloh Road, Hampstead • 443-745-4413
Dates: Weekends only, Nov 29-Dec 22
Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Features: White pine, blue spruce, Fraser fir, and Cannan fir. Baling, assisted loading and saws. Chainsaws and pets permitted. Restroom facilities. Cash or check only.

Gaver Farm

5501 Detrick Road, Mt. Airy • 301-865-3515 • www.gaverfarm.com
Dates: Nov 29-Dec 23
Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Features: Over 60 acres of Colorado blue spruce, Canaan fir, Fraser fir and Douglas fir available. Free shaking and baling, tree hauling, use of saws and drilling. Wreath shop, swags, pine roping, window boughs, greens, bows, tree bags, and tree stands. Food concessions on weekends plus apples and cider. No pets.

Hirt Tree Farm

917 Arnold Road, Westminster • 410-876-8839 • www.hirttreefarm.com
Dates: Nov 23 – Dec 23
Hours: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Features: White pine, Norway spruce, blue spruce, Canaan fir, Douglas fir, Serbian spruce and pre-cut trees. Wreaths, swags, holly bundles, greens, balled and burlap trees, baling and tree digging. Hot chocolate and snacks. Cash or check only.

Otterdale View Christmas Tree Farm

4364 Middleburg Road, Union Bridge • 410-775-0176 • www.otterdaleview.com
Dates: Nov 29 – Dec 15
Hours: Thursday – Sunday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Features: Various pines, firs, and spruces; choose and cut. All trees are $60. Baling and saws available. Handmade wreaths and garlands, and hand-painted Christmas ornaments available. Holiday crafts and decorations. Complimentary warm apple cider. No chainsaws; no pets.

Pine Valley Farms

1150 Fannie Dorsey Road, Sykesville • 410-795-8314 • www.pinevalleyfarms.com
Dates: Season opens Nov 23
Hours: Monday – Thursday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Friday – Sunday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Thanksgiving Day 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Features: Fraser fir, Douglas fir, Concolor fir, Nordmann fir, Korean fir and blue spruce; Choose and cut. Christmas Barn featuring fresh wreaths, roping, wooden reindeer and snowmen, ornaments and tree stands. Hot chocolate, hot cider, hot dogs and pork barbecue available on the weekends. Tagging not permitted.

Putman Tree Farm

316 E. Nicodemus Road, Westminster • 443-244-7972 • www.putmantreefarm.com
Dates: Nov 22 – Dec 22
Hours: Weekends 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Features: White pine, Douglas fir, Spruce trees; Choose and cut. Baling and saws available. Wholesale trees available.

Showvakers Quality Evergreens

2020 Garrett Road, Manchester • 410-374-1499 • www.qualityevergreens.net
Dates: Nov 22 – Dec 24
Hours: Weekdays noon – 5 p.m.; Weekends 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Features: Fraser fir, Douglas fir, Norway spruce, blue spruce, Concolor fir, Canaan white pine and Scotch pine. Cut-your-own and fresh-cut available. Baling, shaking, drilling, and loading assistance. Hot drinks, hot food, petting zoo, weekend Santa Claus visits, Christmas shop, wreaths, roping and live trees to plant.

Sewell’s Farm

3400 Harney Road, Taneytown • 410-756-4397 • www.sewellsfarm.com
Dates: Nov 23 – Dec 22
Hours: 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Thanksgiving Day 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Features: Cut-your-own, already-cut Fraser fir, Concolor fir, White pine, Scotch Pine, Norway spruce and Canaan fir. Live, dug trees, Norway spruce, Canaan fir, Concolor fir, and white pine. Cutting and hauling assistance, free baling and saws provided. Country gift shop, handmade wreaths, roping, greens, holly. Handicapped-accessible. No chainsaws; no pets.

Thomas Tree Farm

3501 Hanover Pike, Manchester • 410-374-9538 • www.thomastreefarm.com
Dates: Nov. 25 while supplies last
Hours: Daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Features: Features: Choose and cut or pre-cut. White pine, Concolor fir, blue spruce, Canaan fir and Fraser fir. Handcrafted wreaths and swags.

Zepp’s Tree Farm

2814 Old Washington Road, Westminster • 410-857-1016
Dates: Nov 29 – Dec 24
Hours: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Features: White pine, Concolor fir, Douglas fir, blue spruce, Canaan fir and Norway spruce. Live balled and burlap trees, netting and wreaths. Also, visit their stand in the Arby’s parking lot by TownMall of Westminster. Cash or check only.