Looking For A Christmas Tree In The Towson Area? Find Local Farms

Towson, MD — As the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic threatens some of America's most quintessential holiday traditions in 2020, it could still be possible to find the perfect Christmas tree for your family — and do it safely.

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

In fact, the National Christmas Tree Association has released a special guide containing recommendations and best practices for Christmas tree providers 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. An onsite "COVID-19 coordinator" and personal protective equipment for employees are also being encouraged.

"We highly encourage growers to use these recommendations to develop strategies to protect their workers and customers," the association wrote on its website, and "wholesale growers should share the recommendations for tree lots with their customers. Having a COVID-19 plan for your business is an imperative."

Is a real Christmas tree is on your wish list this year? Here's a selection of quality tree farms within driving distance of Towson.

• Gunpowder Tree Farm
• Davidson Tree Farm
• Meadows Farms Nurseries - Burtonsville
• Feezers Christmas Tree Farm
• Valley View Farms
• Greenway Christmas Tree Farms
• Fritz Farm & Nursery
• Thomas Tree Farm
• Payne Christmas Trees
• A Snowball's Chance Tree Farm

Want to get the most out of your real Christmas tree? It can take some patience, practice and good advice. 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