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Crabs, Old Bay, and pine: Maryland Christmas trees show off state pride

WASHINGTON — It’s a holiday tradition. Each year, garden clubs from every jurisdiction in Maryland — 23 counties and Baltimore City — decorate trees on display at Maryland’s State House in Annapolis. The trees will be on view through Jan. 3. Here’s a sampling of what visitors can expect to see.

close-up photo of a Christmas tree — This Christmas tree was decorated by a garden club representing Baltimore County and is part of a display at Maryland’s State House in Annapolis, Maryland. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

photo of a tree decorated with Old Bay tins, crabs and newspaper — Crabs, Old Bay seasoning tins and newspaper make up this Christmas tree decorated by a garden club in Talbot County, Md., making it clear that this is Chesapeake Bay style. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

That’s the Talbot County, Md. tree in all its glory, with crabs and Old Bay. The Maryland State House features the first of holiday trees each year. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

This tree was decorated by a garden club representing Baltimore City. It spotlights the work of filmmaker John Waters and Baltimore landmarks such as Lexington Market. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

See the ornament celebrating “Hairspray”? And how about them O’s? This is another section of the tree decorated by a Baltimore City garden club that is decking the hall at the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Maryland. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

Guess which county tree features fossils and shells? It could only be the home of Calvert Cliffs—the Calvert County tree. (WTOP/Kate Ryan) — Guess which county tree features fossils and shells? It could only be the home of Calvert Cliffs—the Calvert County, Md.-themed tree on view at Maryland’s State House in Annapolis, Maryland. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

This Prince George’s County-themed Christmas tree features the Muppets in a tribute to Jim Henson, who crested a sketch comedy show with puppets while at University of Maryland. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

This Frederick County, Md.- themed Christmas tree features ornaments with the western Maryland county’s famous clustered spires. History and literature students may recognize that phrase as coming from a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier. (WTOP/Kate Ryan) — This Frederick County, Md.- themed Christmas tree features ornaments with the Western Maryland county’s famous clustered spires. History and literature students may recognize that phrase as coming from a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

The governors of Maryland are featured on this tree decorated by the Chestertown Garden Club, part of a display of Christmas trees on view at the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Md. (WTOP/Kate Ryan) — The governors of Maryland are featured on this tree decorated by the Chestertown Garden Club, part of a display of Christmas trees on view at the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Maryland. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

Why are goldfinches in this Christmas tree? Whole the Baltimore Oriole may be Maryland’s state bird, the bird of Howard County is the goldfinch. This tree is on view at Maryland’s State House in Annapolis, as part of a display of trees decorated by garden clubs across the state. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

Anne Arundel isn’t just the name of a county in Maryland — it’s the name of an English noblewoman who married Cecil Calvert, second Lord Baltimore. Her name is sometimes spelled “Arundel.” She’s pictured here in an Anne Arundel County-themed Christmas tree on view at Maryland’s State House in Annapolis, Md. (WTOP/Kate Ryan) — Anne Arundel isn’t just the name of a county in Maryland — it’s the name of an English noblewoman who married Cecil Calvert, second Lord Baltimore. Her name is sometimes spelled “Arundel.” She’s pictured here in an Anne Arundel County-themed tree on view at Maryland’s State House in Annapolis, Maryland. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

Another side of the Anne Arundel County-themed holiday tree on view at Maryland's State House in Annapolis, Md. (WTOP/Kate Ryan) — Another side of the Anne Arundel County, Maryland-themed holiday tree on view at Maryland’s State House in Annapolis. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

This tree deocorated by the Mt. Airy Garden Club features some of the symbols of Maryland’s rural heritage. The tree is part of a display on view at Maryland's State House in Annapolis, Md., through Jan. 3, 2019. (WTOP/Kate Ryan) — This tree decorated by the Mount Airy Garden Club features some of the symbols of Maryland’s rural heritage. The tree is part of a display on view at Maryland’s State House in Annapolis, Maryland, through Jan. 3, 2019. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

This Harford County, Md.-themed tree is decked with vintage produce cans, which reference the county’s agricultural and manufacturing history. From the 1880s to the 1950s there were 700 canneries in Harford County alone. (WTOP/Kate Ryan) — This Harford County, Maryland-themed tree is decked with vintage produce cans, which reference the county’s agricultural and manufacturing history. From the 1880s to the 1950s, there were 700 canneries in Harford County alone. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

Here's a close up of the artwork on a vintage canned produce label on the Harford County, Md.-themed tree at the State House in Annapolis, Md. (WTOP/Kate Ryan) — Here’s a close up of the artwork on a vintage canned produce label on the Harford County, Md.-themed tree at the State House in Annapolis, Maryland. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

This Garrett County, Md.-themed tree on display in the Maryland State House features wildlife imagery. (WTOP/Kate Ryan) — This Garrett County, Maryland-themed tree on display in the Maryland State House features wildlife imagery. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

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close-up photo of a Christmas tree

photo of a tree decorated with Old Bay tins, crabs and newspaper

This tree was decorated by a garden club representing Baltimore City. It spotlights the work of filmmaker John Waters and Baltimore landmarks such as Lexington Market. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

Guess which county tree features fossils and shells? It could only be the home of Calvert Cliffs—the Calvert County tree. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

This Frederick County, Md.- themed Christmas tree features ornaments with the western Maryland county’s famous clustered spires. History and literature students may recognize that phrase as coming from a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

The governors of Maryland are featured on this tree decorated by the Chestertown Garden Club, part of a display of Christmas trees on view at the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Md. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

Why are goldfinches in this Christmas tree? Whole the Baltimore Oriole may be Maryland’s state bird, the bird of Howard County is the goldfinch. This tree is on view at Maryland’s State House in Annapolis, as part of a display of trees decorated by garden clubs across the state. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

Anne Arundel isn’t just the name of a county in Maryland — it’s the name of an English noblewoman who married Cecil Calvert, second Lord Baltimore. Her name is sometimes spelled “Arundel.” She’s pictured here in an Anne Arundel County-themed Christmas tree on view at Maryland’s State House in Annapolis, Md. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

Another side of the Anne Arundel County-themed holiday tree on view at Maryland's State House in Annapolis, Md. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

This tree deocorated by the Mt. Airy Garden Club features some of the symbols of Maryland’s rural heritage. The tree is part of a display on view at Maryland's State House in Annapolis, Md., through Jan. 3, 2019. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

This Harford County, Md.-themed tree is decked with vintage produce cans, which reference the county’s agricultural and manufacturing history. From the 1880s to the 1950s there were 700 canneries in Harford County alone. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

Here's a close up of the artwork on a vintage canned produce label on the Harford County, Md.-themed tree at the State House in Annapolis, Md. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

This Garrett County, Md.-themed tree on display in the Maryland State House features wildlife imagery. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

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