More than 35 million live Christmas trees are sold in North America every year. Not to worry -- each cut tree is replaced by two to three seedlings, planted the next spring.
About 12,000 choose-and-harvest tree farms are available throughout the United States for people to cut their own Christmas trees; at least 19 of those farms are in Carroll County and listed in the county government brochure "Christmas Trees & Holiday Greens in Carroll County, Maryland."
For those who wish to go farther for a freshly cut tree, the New Windsor-based Maryland Christmas Tree Association Inc. also has a brochure of Christmas tree farms and retail lots throughout the state.
The county brochure includes dates and times of operations, directions, trees and sizes available for the 19 farms. A county map offers a quick location reference.
Copies of the brochure are available from the Carroll County Office of Economic Development, 225 N. Center St.; Carroll tourism office, 224 N. Center St.; and the Carroll visitor center, 210 E. Main St., all in Westminster. Information: 410-386-2070.
The Maryland Christmas Tree Association is at 826 Springdale Road, New Windsor. Information: 800-935-MCTA.
Carroll's cut-your-own tree farms include:
Cedar Creek Farm, 128 N. Tannery Road, Westminster, 410- 848-4302.
Davidson Christmas Tree Farm, 1105 Emory Church Road, Upperco, 410-239-6556.
Feldhof Farm, 2311 Neudecker Road, Westminster, 410- 876-7680.
Fra-Mar Tree Farm, 3601 Shiloh Road, Hampstead, 410-374- 2868.
Harris Farm, 312 Ridge Road, Westminster, 410-848-1945.
Hirt Tree Farm, 917 Arnold Road, Westminster, 410-876-8839.
J. C. K. Christmas Tree Farm, 3211 Bert Koontz Road, Taneytown, 410-876-8733.
Judy's Nursery, 2554 Bird View Road, Westminster, 410-876- 7647.
Otterdale View Christmas Tree Farm, 4364 Middleburg Road, Union Bridge, 410-775-0176.
Pine Valley Farms, 1150 Fannie Dorsey Road, Woodbine, 410-795-8314.
Putman Tree Farm, 316 E. Nicodemus Farm, Westminster, 410- 876-1380.
Showvaker's Quality Evergreens, 2020 Garrett Road, Manchester, 410-374-1499.
Seven Springs Tree Farm, 3640 Millers Station Road, Manchester, 410-239-3538.
Sewell's Farm, 3400 Harney Road, Taneytown, 410-756-4397.
Silver Meadow Farm, 6109 Davis Road, Woodbine, 301-829- 9198.
Staley's Christmas Tree Farm, 4338 Harney Road, Taneytown, 410-756-4284.
Stone Cellar Farmhouse, 4512 Ridge Road, Mount Airy, 410-875-2012.
Thomas Tree Farm, 3501 Hanover Pike, Manchester, 410- 374-9538.
Zepp's Tree Farm, 2814 Old Washington Road, Westminster, 410-848-4944.
