Community Corner

Where To Buy A Christmas Tree In Potomac: Updated

How to pick out the best tree for your home, preference and price point.

POTOMAC, 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 the Potomac area 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 Potomac to pick out this year's Christmas tree include:

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The River Road location is open on weekends from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and weekdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Potomac Farm Market offers fresh-cut Fraser Firs in a variety of heights from 2 to 12 feet tall, as well as wreaths, firewood and other holiday decor.

Trees between 5 and 6 feet tall are $69, trees between 6 and 7 feet tall are $79 and trees between 7 and 8 feet tall are $89.

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The business offers a delivery service within the area for $25, and a setup service for $35.

Behnke Nurseries, 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.

Open Tuesday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Butler's Orchard offers cut-you-own trees including White Pines for $45.95 and Douglas Firs for $54.95. Supplies and assistance are provided.

The business also offers a number of fresh-cut trees. For more information call 301-972-3299.

Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Homestead Farm offers cut-your-own Christmas trees for $49. Customers can choose a Scotch Pine between 4 and 6 feet tall, a Norway Spruce between 4 and 5 feet tall and a Douglas Fir between 4 and 5 feet tall.

Pre-cut Fraser Firs between 7 and 8 feet tall cost $79, while trees between 8 and 9 feet tall cost $89.

Saws, netting, rope and assistance are provided.

Call 301-977-3761 for more information.

  • Maryland Gardens Tree & Shrub Farm

Located at 12329 McCrossin Lane in Potomac, this farm is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Approximately 1,000 trees are available including Fraser Firs, Nordman Firs and Norway trees.

Call Thomas Moseley at 301-977-3982 for more information.

With so many options, picking out a Christmas tree can sometimes make you feel like you're in "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Any given tree can either be too short, too tall, too bald, too bushy or have a myriad of other problems.

So how can you tell which tree is the right one for you? 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 because it is relatively problem-free. 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 butt 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.

TELL US: Where did you buy or cut your Christmas tree in Potomac? What kind is it? Share in the comments below.


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