Where To Get Live Christmas Trees In Montgomery Village Area

MONTGOMERY VILLAGE, MD — While some people prefer artificial trees, and those who like the smell and feel of a live tree want the convenience of choosing their Christmas tree from the selection in a pop-up lot or home improvement store, others prefer the old-fashioned manner of cutting down their own.

There are several Christmas tree farms in Montgomery County where you can obtain your tree in a more organic manner than stopping at Lowe's. If we missed a favorite site, tell us in comments below.

Places in the county to pick out this year's Christmas tree include:

• Potomac Farm Market, River Road – Corner of Congressional Parkway and River Road, and Glen Echo Shopping Center – 7300 MacArthur Boulevard
• Behnke Nurseries, 11300 Baltimore Ave, Beltsville. Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays this holiday season, offers fresh cut trees. See the nursery website for prices; or call 301-937-1100 for more details.
• Butler's Orchard, 22222 Davis Mill Rd, Germantown. Open Tuesday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The business also offers a number of fresh-cut trees. For more information call 301-972-3299.
• Homestead Farm, 15604 Sugarland Rd, Poolesville. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on December 2, 3, 9, 10.
  (Closed all other days in December.) Cut-Your-Own: Canaan Fir 5-6 feet tall. $60 each. Pre-Cut: Douglas Fir 6-9 feet tall. $75 each. Call 301-977-3898 for more information.
• Gaver Farm, 5501 Detrick Road, Mt. Airy. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Dec. 23. Cut your own Blue Spruce, Concolor Fir, Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Canaan Fir or Scotch Pine Christmas Tree or select from their fresh-cut Douglas Fir trees. Free shaking and baling. Phone: 301.865.3515.
• Mayne’s Tree Farm, 3420 Buckeystown Pike, Buckeystown. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Dec. 23. Phone: 301.662.4320 Cut your own White Pine, Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Canaan Fir, and Concolor Fir. Pre-Cut trees include Fraser Fir and Douglas Fir. Christmas decorations available including bows, wreaths, tree stands, straw, roping and more.
• Naughty Pine Nursery, 18200 Elmer School Road, Dickerson. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17. Phone: 301-785-8622.
• Maryland Gardens Tree & Shrub Farm, 12329 McCrossin Lane, Potomac. Open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 301-977-3982 for more information.
• Maxsell's Christmas Trees, located at the corner of Georgia Avenue and Evans Drive. Open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and 10 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.
• Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad, 2400 Arcola Ave., Wheaton.
• Saint Bernadette Catholic Church, 70 University Blvd. E, Silver Spring.
• Woodside United Methodist, 8900 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring.
• Takoma Park Volunteer Fire Department, 7201 Carroll Ave., Takoma Park
• The Home Depot, 4700 Cherry Hill Rd., Silver Spring. Opens 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday
• Rockville Volunteer Fire Department, 380 Hungerford Dr., Rockville
• J R Wright & Sons, 12621 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring. Opens 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sunday.

To help select your favorite tree, the characteristics of the more popular species are listed below.

Douglas fir: This tree is generally available as a sheared tree and is the most common species found on tree lots. It has a nice fragrance and a medium-to-good shelf life. Because of the thick, bushy crowns, they do not lend themselves to large or heavy decorations. This species is the easiest to grow; it requires 7 to 8 years to mature as a Christmas tree.

Noble fir: This species is considered the “Cadillac” of Christmas trees. It grows in a more open pattern, has stout branches, luxurious green needles, a long shelf life and a nice fragrance. It is popular with families that have large or heavy ornaments. It is the most expensive tree because it takes 8 to 10 years to mature and is the most difficult species to grow.

Grand fir: This sheared tree is the most fragrant of the native species. It has an attractive needle that makes it a popular choice as a flocked tree. Grand fir trees require 8 to 9 years to grow and have a medium shelf life.

Fraser fir: This North Carolina native has strong branches that will hold heavier ornaments. The needles have a pleasant fragrance and a long shelf life comparable to a noble fir. Fraser fir trees are difficult to grow because of the many pests that threaten them. They require 8 to 10 years before they are ready for harvest.

Norway and blue spruce trees: These are generally available only at choose-and-cut farms. They will hold heavy decorations. Some consumers think they are child- and pet-proof because of the stiff, prickly needles.
Spruces require 8 to 9 years to mature as Christmas trees and have a medium shelf life.

Tips for caring for your tree:

Once you make it home with your tree, cut one-quarter inch off the end of the trunk and place the tree in a water stand. The stand should be large enough to hold at least one gallon of water after the tree is placed in it. Check the water level daily. A typical 6-foot-tall tree can drink one gallon of water each day and remain fresh for two to three weeks.

Photo: Associated Press