Written By Linda Morton
Places to Find Live and Cut Evergreens in Carroll County
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree! How lovely are thy branches!” – song O Tannenbaum
In addition to the joy of a green tree in winter and the fun of having one inside the house, there’s the unmistakable smell; nothing says Christmas like the fresh scent of an evergreen. With at least 13 Christmas tree farms in Carroll County, the hunt for the perfect tree can be a fun excursion and a family tradition. You find just the right tannenbaum for your home, close to home. Here are your options:
PUTMAN TREE FARM
Michael Luers 316 E. Nicodemus Road Westminster, MD 21157 410-848-9584
Open: Thanksgiving to Christmas, weekends 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Trees and sizes available: 2020 Garrett Road Manchester, MD 21102 410-374-1499; info@qualityevergreens.com www.qualityevergreens.com
Open: daily Thanksgiving – Christmas
Trees and sizes available: Fraser Fir, Douglas Fir, Blue Spruce, Concolor Fir, White Pine and Scotch Pine
Also available: Complimentary hot drinks and ample parking. On weekends, hot food and petting zoo. Cathedral height trees, wreaths, roping and live trees to plant. Baling, shaking, drilling and loading assistance at no charge.
Directions: Travel MD Route 30 north through Manchester to the PA/MD line. Garrett Road is on the left immediately after entering Pennsylvania. Farm is a half-mile on right on Garrett Road.
SEWELL’S FARM
Ronald and Lori Sewell 3400 Harney Road ¥ Taneytown, MD 21787 410-756-4397 ¥ sewellsfarm@hotmail.com www.sewellsfarm.com Handicapped accessible
Open: November 24 – December 23, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
Trees and sizes available: Douglas Fir 6-10’, Concolor Fir 6-10’, White Pine 7’-12’, Scotch Pine 6-10’, Fraser Fir 6-11’.
Also available: Already cut trees from Sewells’ other farms; Fraser Fir up to 18’ and other varieties up to 14’. Balled and burlap trees of Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, Concolor Fir, Douglas Fir and White Pine 4’-8’. Wreaths and greens made on the premise. Free tree baling, tree assistance and gift shop. Tree and wreath shipping available. Concessions available on weekends. 75 acres from which to choose.
Directions: Rt. 140 west through Taneytown. Turn right onto Harney Road. Farm 1/2 mile on left.
THOMAS TREE FARM
Wayne Thomas 3501 Hanover Pike ¥ Manchester, MD 21102 410-374-9538 ¥ wayne@thomastreefarm.com www.thomastreefarm.com
Open: November 17 – December 24, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
Trees and sizes available: Blue Spruce, White Pine, Douglas Fir, Canaan Fir, Fraser Fir and Concolor Fir. Fir sizes run 3’-8’.
Also available: Balled and burlap trees, wreaths, greens, tree bags, free shaking and baling, tree stands, saws, kissing balls, swags, holly, greens, food on weekends and restroom facilities. All major credit cards accepted. 50+ acres.
Directions: Travel a quarter mile north of Manchester on Route 30. Farm on the right.
ZEPP’S TREE FARM
Doug and Sandy Zepp 2814 Old Washington Road ¥ Westminster, MD 21157 410-857-1016
Open: weekends after Thanksgiving, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Trees and sizes available: New fields open! White Pine, Douglas Fir and Norway Spruce 5’-10’
Also available: Live balled and burlap trees.
Directions: From Westminster, Rt. 97 south to right on Nicodemus Road. Continue 2/10 mile to Old Washington Road, stay straight for 2/10 mile to farm on left. Zepp’s Tree Farm sign on left.
OTTERDALE VIEW CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
William A. and Jean M. Coshun 4364 Middleburg Road ¥ Union Bridge, MD 21791 410-775-0176
Open: November 23 – December 16; Tues. – Thur., 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.; Friday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; closed Mondays
Trees and sizes available: Scotch Pine, White Pine, Douglas Fir, Canaan Fir and Norway Spruce. All sizes in each variety.
Also available: Handmade wreaths and decorations, bows, saws, baling and restroom facilities.
Complimentary warm apple cider available on weekends.
Directions: Traveling from Westminster, Rt. 140 west to Rt. 31 south to second light. Right on Uniontown Road and continue 10 miles to Uniontown. At west end of Uniontown the name of the road changes to Middleburg Road, continue two miles to farm sign and lane on right. Proceed 1/2 mile on lane to log cabin.
PINE VALLEY FARMS
The Wolfe Family 1150 Fannie Dorsey Road ¥ Sykesville, MD 21784 410-795-8314 ¥ hwolfe@hotmail.com www.pinevalleyfarms.com
Open: daily from the day after Thanksgiving through December 24, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Trees and sizes available: Cut your own of 2,500 Blue Spruce 5’-9’, 3,000 Canaan Fir 5’-9’, 50 Concolor Fir 5’-8’, 6,000 Douglas Fir 5’-11’, 4,000 Fraser Fir 5’-9’, 100 Norway Spruce 5’- 9’ and 1,500 White Pine 5’-10’. Retail lot of Fraser Fir up to 10′ and Douglas Fir up to 12’.
Also available: Roping, wreaths, tree bags, tree baling, drilling and shaking, crafts, saws and indoor restrooms. Hot dogs, barbeque sandwiches, hot chocolate, hot cider and hot coffee. Hand carts to pickup trees. 120 acres of manicured fields.
Directions: North of Woodbine. From I-70 take exit 76 (Rt. 97) north 4.9 miles. Turn left on Fannie Dorsey Road for 1.3 miles and look for farm entrance on right.
CEDAR CREEK FARM
Glenn and Linda Hagan 128 N. Tannery Road ¥ Westminster, MD 21157 410-848-4302 ¥ cedarcrk@qis.net www.cedarcreekfarmsus.com
Open: November 24 to Christmas Eve. Call for days and hours of operation.
Trees and sizes available: Fresh cut Douglas Fir and other assorted varieties. Sizes from 5’-8’.
Also available: Fresh wreaths and swags, balled and burlap trees, tree netting, kissing balls and fresh greens. Santa visits first two weekends in December. Call for Santa’s hours. Hot cider and cookies are also available. Special orders for wreaths and swags are welcome.
Directions: Rt. 140 toward Westminster, turn right on Gorsuch Road beside McDonalds, go approximately 2.5 miles to railroad tracks. Before railroad tracks make a left onto Tannery Road, bear left at the Y, follow road until you see Cedar Creek Farm.
DAVIDSON CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
Bruce Davidson 1101 Emory Church Road ¥ Upperco, MD 21155 410-239-6556; ¥ bruce@qis.net www.davidsonchristmastreefarm.net
Open: November 23 – December 24, daily except Mondays, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Trees and sizes available: Fraser Fir to 12’, Douglas Fir to 10’, Canaan Fir to 9’, Colorado Blue Spruce to 10’, Norway Spruce to 9’, White Pine to 15’, Scotch Pine to 9’, Serbian Spruce to 7’ and White Spruce to 7’. Pre-cut Frasier 10’ – 16’ also available.
Also available: Wreaths up to 36”, roping, greens, swags, balled and burlap trees, tree shaking and baling, tree drilling, stands, food, snacks, beverages (hot and cold), assisted cutting and loading, gift shop and restroom facilities. Tractor and wagon runs to fields on weekends and ample parking.
Directions: From Rt. 140 take Rt. 91 three miles (toward Fowblesburg) turn left at Emory Church Road, go 1.5 miles to farm on right. From Rt. 30, take Fringer/Carrollton Road to first road on left (Emory Church Road, go two miles to farm).
HARRIS FARM
David and Bryan Harris 312 Ridge Road ¥ Westminster, MD 21157 ¥ 410-848-1945
Open: November 23 – December 24, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily
Trees and sizes available: Concolor Fir, Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Balsam Fir and Canaan Fir 5’ and up.
Also available: Balled and burlap trees, wreaths, roping, holly, cross and candy canes made with fresh greens for door decorations. Baling available.
Directions: From Main Street in Westminster, south on Rt. 27, 8/10 mile to farm on right. From Rt. 26, take Rt. 27 north approximately nine miles to farm on left.
HIRT TREE FARM Clyde and Cindy Hirt 917 Arnold Road ¥ Westminster, MD 21157 ¥ 410-876-8839
Open: November 23 to December 23, daily 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Trees and sizes available: White Pine 5’-16’, Norway Spruce 5’-8’, Blue Spruce 5’-9’, Canaan Fir 5’-7’, Douglas Fir 5’-9’, Serbian Spruce 5’-8’ and pre-cut Fraser Fir 5’-8’.
Also available: Wreaths, roping, holly bundles, swags, greens, balled and burlap trees, baling and tree digging. Hot chocolate and snacks.
Directions from Baltimore: Rt.140 to Rt. 97 south four lights to Hook Rd, turn left 1 1/2 miles to Arnold Rd, turn left to first farm on right. Look for signs.
Directions from Howard County: Rt. 26 to Rt. 97 north to second light, turn right onto Hook Rd, turn left 1 1/2 miles to Arnold Rd, turn left to first farm on right. Look for signs.
FELDHOF FARM
William and Kristy Fanning 2311 Neudecker Road ¥ Westminster, MD 21157 410-876-7680
Open: November 24 – December 16, Sat. and Sun. only, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Trees and sizes available: 3’-20’ Colorado Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, Serbian Spruce, White Pine, Bosnian Pine, Red Pine, Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, other specialty Firs, Spruces and Pines.
Also available: Balled and burlap trees, greens, handmade wreaths, baling and restroom facilities.
Directions: Five miles east of Westminster, Rt. 140/97 to Gorsuch Road (McDonalds on corner), east on Gorsuch (away from Westminster) 3.1 miles to Leisters Church Road. Turn right 1.2 miles on Neudecker Road. Turn left 1/2 mile to farm on right.
FRA-MAR TREE FARM
Marion Koontz 3601 Shiloh Road ¥ Hampstead, MD 21074 410-374-2868
Open: November 23 – December 23, Sat. and Sun. only 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Trees and sizes available: White Pine 5’-10’ and Douglas Fir 4’-9’.
Also available: Baling, assisted loading, wreaths, crafts and restroom facilities.
Directions: From Westminster take Rt. 27 to Rt. 482 to North Carroll high school. Right on Panther Drive. Follow to stop sign. Turn right onto Shiloh Rd. approximately 1/2 mile to farm lane. Look for tree signs on left. Follow to farm.
Looking for One-of-a-Kind Ornaments? Check Out These Creative Sources.
We love our Christmas ornaments and decorations for their sentimental value. Reclaimed from closets, attics and basements year after year, but only once a year, our most prized decorations stir treasured memories. The holiday decorations we choose are as personal as the clothes we wear or our favorite foods and books. If you enjoy the quest for just the right addition to your collection or the thrill of finding a one-of-a-kind gift, check out the Carroll County treasure troves listed below.
A Greater Gift/SERRV Shop
Brethren Service Center
500 Main St. ¥ New Windsor, MD
410-635-8711 ¥ www.greatergift.org
Decorations from artisans in 35 countries. New items this year: glass Limache ornaments from Chile, Father Christmas ornaments of natural fibers and paper, reindeer ornaments made of recycled soda cans from Kenya.
Ain’t That a Frame
Lou Chang
31 W. Main St. ¥ Westminster, MD
410-876-3096
Old world mercury glass ornaments by designer Debbie Thibault, early American folk style; Raku-style pottery ornaments in earthy, natural designs (pine cones and stars), glazed and fired for looks from iridescence to terra cotta.
ArtWorks
Missy Wilcox
29 East Main Street ¥ Westminster, MD 21157
410-871-9590 ¥ www.yourartscontent.com
Handcrafted works by local, American, and international artists: cut glass ornaments shaped as trees, angels, and whimsical drinks in celebration of the season by Green Mountain Glass, Massachusetts; blown glass ornaments, also known as Witches’ Balls from Florida; glass vegetable ornaments by Salusa, a Washington state artist; hand twirled copper ornaments by Blue Hill; ornaments by North Carolina artists; also hand painted and glazed ornaments that can be personalized on site.
Blossom and Basket Boutique
Ellie Bonde
3 North Main St. ¥ Mount Airy, MD ¥ 301-829-8300
Botanical and fragranced wax candle ornaments, scented with peppermint (white), evergreen (green) or cranberry spice (red), embedded with leaves and pressed flowers, adorned with ribbons for hanging from Habersham Candle Company.
Bowman’s Home and Garden
100 John St. ¥ Westminster, MD ¥ 410-751-7290
Theme ornaments: sports (MD, VA Tech), birdhouse, Honey and Me collectibles, Bethany Lowe nostalgic ornaments, old-fashioned toy ornaments, life-size deer and rocking horses, Ditz penguins, deer, and bear.
Carroll Arts Center
91 West Main Street ¥ Westminster, MD
410-848-7272 ¥ www.carr.org/arts
Festival of Wreaths. More than 230 uniquely decorated theme wreaths displayed through a five-day silent auction: Nov. 28 – Dec. 2, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Wed. – Sat. 1 – 4 p.m., Sun. Free admission. Bidding ends at 4 p.m., Sun., Dec. 2.
Carroll Gardens
Alan Summers
444 E. Main St. ¥ Westminster, MD
410-848-5422
Collectible, old world, mouth-blown, hand-painted German ornaments, some created 100 years ago. New supplier with prices 40 percent lower than past years.
Cedar Creek Farm
Glenn aand Linda Hagan
128 N. Tannery Road
Westminster, MD
410-848-4302;
cedarcrk@qis.net ¥ www.cedarcreekfarmsus.com
Kissing balls – a sphere (8, 12 or 15 inches) of greenery and ribbon, may include berries and pine cones, woven into a wire sphere over oasis. May be watered to stay fresh. Often hung in foyers; reminiscent of mistletoe balls, but stay fresh longer.
Crafty Owl Primitives
Tom Crowl
P. O. Box 2131
Westminster, MD 21158
410-876-6771 ¥ www.crafty_owl.com
Hand-carved wooden ornaments and decorations by Tom Crowl include Santas, snowmen, angels, the Christmas key, and reindeer whistles. Reminiscent of vintage German carved wooden Christmas decorations. Each is a one-of-a-kind original, signed and dated with an old world look and feel.
Inspirations Gift Shop & Gypsy’s Tea Room
Winchester Country Inn
111 Stoner Ave. ¥ Westminster, MD
410-857-0058
Byers’ Choice handmade collectible figurines: Victorian carolers (no two alike), Kindles figurines, 12 Days of Christmas collectibles.
Mayberry Mill
Mary Ann Galandak
Intersection of Mayberry Rd. and Stone Rd. between Rt. 97 and Rt. 140
(four miles east of Taneytown)
410-848-6213
Gingerbread houses and painted gourds by Susan Atkinson; wreaths and centerpieces by Mary Ann Galandak; stained glass ornaments by Barbara Haines; holiday art and jewelry by Missy Miller; gift items from 15 juried crafters Dec. 1- 9, Mon. – Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun,. noon – 5 p.m.
Olde Liberty Shoppe
Lynn Aaron
39 Liberty St. ¥ Westminster, MD
410-751-5818 ¥ lynnols@hotmail.com
Polish pottery Christmas trees; hand-made and painted gourds as Santas, snowmen, angels from Carlisle, Pa.
Union Bridge General Store
Donna Rabaiotti
11 Main St. ¥ Union Bridge, MD
410-775-1780
Treenware ornaments, plaques, and gingerbread men, from the Salem Collection; handmade pottery and cookie-cutter pottery ornaments created by local potter Donna Rabaiotti.
