Bowie Christmas Tree Shopping Guide For 2020

Bowie, MD — It might still be possible to take your family on the hunt for the perfect Christmas tree in 2020 — and most importantly, to do it safely, even as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to worsen across the region.

At least 25 million real Christmas trees are purchased each year across America, and currently, 350 million are growing in all 50 U.S. states. And during this unprecedented year, Christmas tree lots and choose-and-cut farms nationwide are taking precautions as COVID-19 cases rise to ensure locals can take home a tree with minimal health and safety risk.

"It is likely that Christmas will have a greater significance for many in 2020 as we seek to offset the disruption of normalcy from COVID-19 with a family-oriented holiday experience," the the National Christmas Tree Association wrote on its website this year. "However, shopping for a Christmas tree, the iconic centerpiece of the holiday, will be a different experience this year as the risks from COVID-19 must be taken seriously."

In fact, the association has developed a new guide full of recommendations and best practices for Christmas tree sellers to follow. Sellers are advised to frequently sanitize items such as hand saws and tree cart handles, as well as countertops, restrooms and other areas.

If a real Christmas tree is on your holiday wish list this season, here is a selection of some of our favorite Christmas tree farms near Bowie.

• Meadows Farms Nurseries - Burtonsville
• Hemlock farm christmas trees
• Friendship Trees & Christmas Shop
• Payne Christmas Trees
• Holiday Memories Farm
• Chesapeake Bay Foundation Clagett Farm
• Almost Heavenly Christmas Trees
• Whitehall Farms
• Butler's Orchard
• Gunpowder Tree Farm

Getting the most out of your real Christmas tree takes a bit of patience and practice. Here are a few tips to remember, according to the National Christmas Tree Association:

• What to know about fake Christmas trees
• Knowing the different types of real Christmas trees
• Tips on selecting a real tree
• Caring for your tree
• Christmas tree safety
• How to recycle your tree