WASHINGTON — It’s that time of year. The Thanksgiving leftovers are tucked away in the fridge, and now it’s time to get your decorating on.
The centerpiece of your holiday decorations, of course, is the tree. The weekend after Thanksgiving is the prime time to shop for a Christmas tree.
If you favor the fresh-cut variety — or you want to take a saw to a Douglas fir yourself — you’ll have to hop in your car and go explore the great outdoors.
Below, find a listing and map of Christmas tree farms and lots in our area. PickYourOwnChristmasTree.org also provides a ton of listings.
And before you get your tree all set up, be sure to check out these tips for caring for your fresh-cut Christmas tree from WTOP Garden Editor Mike McGrath. A key takeaway is pre-hydration. Not sure what that means? Check out his column for more.
Virginia
The Amazing Fun Farm at Ticonderoga at 26469 Ticonderoga Rd. in Chantilly, Virginia, offers pre-cut trees and choose-and-cut trees on site as well as fresh wreaths. The farm is open at 10 a.m. Nov. 25-27 and also hosts a “Winter Festival.”
Cut-your-own trees at Day Star Farms are available Nov. 26 and Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Nov. 27 and Dec. 4 from noon till 5 p.m. and other times by appointment. The farm is located at 41374 Reservoir Rd. in Leesburg, Virginia. Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and candy canes during your tree-picking.
Fresh-cut Christmas trees can be purchased at Whitehall Farms in Fairfax County at 12523 Popes Head Rd. in Clifton.
Almost Heavenly Christmas Trees offers fresh-cut trees at a few seasonal tree lots in Northern Virginia including at the Landmark Mall in Alexandria at 5801 Duke St. Other locations are provided on its website.
You can find fresh-cut trees at Cox Farms at 15621 Braddock Rd. in Centreville, Virginia. The farm is open daily Nov. 25 through Dec. 23.
Middleburg Christmas Tree Farm at Christmas Tree Lane in Round Hill, Virginia, features cut-your-own trees on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Maryland
Butler’s Orchard at 22222 Davis Mill Rd. in Germantown features cut-your-own Douglas fir trees as well as pre-cut trees. Most trees are between 6 feet and 8 feet tall with a limited supply over trees taller than 8 feet, according to its website.
Homestead Farm at 15604 Sugarland Rd. in Poolesville, Maryland, also features both cut-your-own and pre-cut trees. Be sure to plan ahead: The farm is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. only on Nov. 25, 26 and 27 and Dec. 3, 4, 10, and 11.
You can cut your own tree at Naughty Pine Nursery at 18200 Elmer School Rd. in Dickerson, Maryland, is open Nov. 25, 26 and 27 and Dec. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18.
Clagett Farm at 11904 Old Marlboro Pike in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, is offering both cut-your-own and pre-cut trees on weekends starting this weekend through Dec. 18.
Linden Hill Christmas Tree Farm located at 4102 Old Crain Highway in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, is open Nov. 25 through Dec. 17 or until sold out. Tree prices for cut-your-own or pre-cut range from $40 to $90.
You can find a variety of fresh-cut Christmas trees at Patuxent Nursery at 2410 Crain Highway in Bowie, Maryland.
DC
Many hardware stores, such as Logan Hardware at 1734 14th St. NW, stock Christmas trees this time of year. Chain retailers, such as Lowes and Home Depot should also carry them.
Farmers markets in the area that continue through the early part of winter — such as Eastern Market, Dupont Circle and Columbia Heights — also typically have vendors that sell Christmas trees.
Dan and Bryan Christmas Trees (formerly Sundback Trees) maintains a Christmas tree lot at the Church of the Annunciation at the intersection of Klingle Place and 38th St. in Northwest. If you get a tree from them, you’ll be in good company. The family-run company has supplied trees for well-known Washingtonians, such as Sen. Ted Kennedy and George H.W. Bush when he served as vice president.
Also, be sure to check out local garden centers and plant nurseries, such as Old City Farm and Guild at 925 Rhode Island Ave. NW.
