by Kym Byrnes
COVID-19 has forced many of us to re-imagine our holiday traditions this year. But don’t despair — local farms are open and excited to help continue the tradition of packing up the family, trotting around a tree-filled hillside, and then rolling around on the ground to saw down a Christmas tree. While most farms are heeding COVID-19 safety precautions, they are still offering cut-your-own trees, pre-cut trees, holiday goods for sale and even some festive activities including Santa visits. Check out websites or social media before visiting, as many farms reserve the right to close for poor weather or when their tree selection is depleted. Here’s a list of local farms serving up a little tradition this holiday season.
Clemsonville Christmas Tree Farm
10120 Clemsonville Rd, Union Bridge • 410-848-6083 • www.clemsonville.com
Dates: Nov 27 – Dec 24
Hours:Daily 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Features: Various pine, spruce and fir. All trees are $30. Decorated barn with Santa sleeping.
Davidson Christmas Tree Farm
1101 Emory Church Rd, Upperco • 410-239-6556 • www.davidsonchristmastreefarm.com
Dates: Nov 21 – 22, and Nov 27 – TBD
Hours: Noon – 5 p.m. Mon-Thurs; 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Fri-Sun
Features: Entrance to fields close at 4:30 p.m. Fraser fir, Douglas fir, Concolor fir, Canaan fir, balsam fir, white pine, Norway spruce, Serbian spruce, Colorado blue spruce, white spruce, Korean fir and Nordmann fir. Snack bar and gift shop. Freshly made wreaths, roping, cutting assistance, tree shaking, baling, and drilling for free. Credit cards accepted. Practicing COVID-19 safety precautions, see website for details.
Fra-Mar Tree Farm
3601 Shiloh Road, Hampstead • 443-745-4413
Dates: Nov 27 – Dec 20
Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Features: COVID-19 precautions and best practices taken. White pine, Fraser fir, and Canaan fir. Baling and saws available. Restroom facilities provided. Cash or check only.
Gaver Farm
5501 Detrick Road, Mt. Airy • 301-865-3515 • www.gaverfarm.com
Dates: Nov 27
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 27 – Dec 20
Hours: Thursday – Sunday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Features: Various pines, firs, and spruces; choose and cut. All trees are $60. COVID-19 precautions are being taken, check the website for details. No chainsaws; no pets.
Putman Tree Farm
316 E. Nicodemus Road, Westminster • 443-244-7972 • www.putmantreefarm.com
Dates: Nov 27 – Dec 20
Hours: Weekends 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Features: White pine, Douglas fir, Spruce trees; Choose and cut. Baling and saws 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: Opening Nov 21 – Dec. 20; Closed Thanksgiving Day
Hours: 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Features: Cut-your-own tree start at $50; already-cut Fraser fir, Concolor fir, Douglas fir, Canaan fir, white pine. Free baling and saws provided. Country gift shop, handmade wreaths, roping, greens, holly. Handicapped-accessible. Reserve the right to close field due to weather or availability of trees. No chainsaws; no pets. Masks required and social distancing when necessary.
Thomas Tree Farm
Closed for 2020 due to COVID
3501 Hanover Pike, Manchester • 410-374-9538 • www.thomastreefarm.com
Wolfe’s Pine Valley Farms
1150 Fannie Dorsey Road, Sykesville • 410-795-8314 • www.wolfespinevalleyfarms.com
Dates: Season opens Nov 21
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 and Concolor fir. Choose and cut. Christmas Barn featuring fresh wreaths, roping, wooden reindeer and snowmen, ornaments and tree stands. Due to COVID-19, only cold drinks and individually wrapped chips and snacks will be available on the weekends. Tagging not permitted. Cash or credit card only.
Zepp’s Tree Farm
2814 Old Washington Road, Westminster • 410-857-1016
Dates: Nov 27 – Dec 24
Hours: Opening day Friday, Nov. 27, after that open Saturday – Sunday, 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.
