You've made the decision: You're going to cut down your own Christmas tree this year. Yes, you're going to put on your L.L. Bean mud boots and Windbloc gloves, go tramping through the fields of a Christmas tree farm and lay claim to a fresher than fresh yule arbor.
So where to find this farm? Frankly, all over. Choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms abound in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Howard County and Harford County, as well as other areas of our state.
Whether you've got a particular type of tree in mind or haven't a clue as to which tree is which, knowledgeable owners and staff of the Christmas tree farms will be more than willing to point you in the right direction, offer tips and answer questions.
The following list of metro-area Christmas tree farms includes directions, dates and hours of operation, and phone numbers. Call ahead if you've got your heart set on a single type of tree (to be sure it's available), or else make a day of it looking for the perfect tree.
Anne Arundel County
Friendship Trees. 410-741-5712. In Friendship. From Route 301, take Route 4 south to Route 260 to Route 778. Go left on Route 778 a half-mile to farm on left. Open through Dec. 15, noon-4:30 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekends.
Masque Farm. 410-757-4454. In Annapolis. From Route 50 (east or west), take the Aris T. Allen Boulevard exit and continue on the highway as it becomes Forest Drive. Turn right onto Spa Road. Masque Farm Road is about 500 yards from the corner on the right. Open through Dec. 22, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends.
Nicholson Tree Farm Inc. 301-855-4243. In Bristol-Deale. Take 301 to Route 4 east to 258 Bristol-Deale Exit to Little Road. Make a left after three-quarters of a mile, then follow signs. From Annapolis, take Route 2 south toward Prince Frederick 258. Make a right at light at 258 and then go about 3.5 miles until a right on Little Road. Farm is three-quarters of a mile on left. Open through Dec. 24, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays; 7 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends.
Baltimore County
All Timber Hill Farm. 410-343-1940. In Parkton/White Hall. From Interstate 83 take Exit 36 (Route 439, Old York Road) east for 3.5 miles to sign on left. Open Thursdays-Mondays, through Dec. 22, 9:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m. weekdays; 8:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m. weekends.
Elliott's Ventura Farm. 410-771-4510. In Butler. From the Beltway, take Falls Road Exit 23B (Route 25). Proceed north on Falls Road for 12 miles to farm on right. Open through Dec. 22, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays.
Feezers Farm, LLC. 410-461-5654. In Marriottsville. About five miles west of Randallstown. From the Beltway, take Exit 18, Route 26 west. Go eight miles. Turn left on Wards Chapel Road and go 1.8 miles to sign on right. Or take Interstate 70 west from the Beltway to Marriottsville Road north past the McKeldin Area of Patapsco Valley State Park to sign on left. Open weekends through Dec. 22, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Four Season Nursery and Christmas Tree Plantation. 410-557-8181. In Monkton. From the Beltway, take Exit 27 north to concrete bridge, bear left onto Jarrettsville Pike, go 11 miles to Route 152, take next left at Houcks Mill Road, go 1.7 miles to farm. Open through Dec. 24, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.
Frostee Tree Farm. 410-687-3344 or 410-256-5560. In Perry Hall. About one mile northeast of White Marsh Mall. From the Beltway, take I-95 north to Route 40 east. Take Route 40 a quarter-mile to a left on Ebenezer Road, which becomes Cowenton Avenue. Go to sign on left. Open through Dec. 24, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.
Green Hill Farm. 410-592-7813. In Baldwin. About eight miles from Towson. From the Beltway, take Exit 27 (Dulaney Valley Road). Go north four miles, crossing Loch Raven Bridge. Bear right at the fork after crossing the bridge. Go two miles to Peerce's Plantation. Bear left at the fork (staying on Dulaney Valley Road) and go two miles to Manor Road. Turn left and go 1.5 miles to the farm on the left. Open through Dec. 22, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends.
Jones' Christmas Tree Plantation. 410-771-4346. In Monkton. From the Beltway, take Exit 27 (Dulaney Valley Road) north. Cross over Loch Raven Bridge, then bear left onto Route 146 North, go 8.3 miles to the red light in Jacksonville. Go through the light while on Route 146 to Manor Road to the Manor Tavern Restaurant. Turn right on Old York Road and proceed 1 1/8 miles to the farm on left. At 16500 Old York Road. Open through Dec. 22, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekends.
Martin's Tree Farm. 410-374-8114. Near the Carroll County town of Hampstead, but in Baltimore County. Take I-83 north to Exit 27. Turn left and go seven miles west on Route 137 to right on Falls Road. Farm is 2.5 miles on left. Open through Dec. 24, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays.
Mount Carmel Tree Farm. 410-329-8032. In Parkton. Three miles west of Hereford. From the Beltway, take I-83 north to Mount Carmel Road (Exit 27). Go west 2.75 miles to sign on left. Open through Dec. 24, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.
