Part of the fun of the Christmas season is shopping for a tree. There was a time when it seemed Christmas trees were being sold on every corner, and you only had to walk down to the end of your street to find one.
Some thrifty families would wait until Christmas Eve, when the remaining trees went on sale for $1.
Trees are still available on street corners, but more families are turning Christmas tree shopping into a major outing. Everybody bundles up because it's usually icy cold on the day of the tree hunt. They jump into the car and head for the country.
At the tree farm, there are great decisions. Should they go for the blue spruce, a Douglas fir or perhaps a white pine? And then there's the matter of selecting the perfect shape. Once this is resolved, the tree is roped and packed into the car.
There are numerous tree farms in the metropolitan area. For a list of members of the Maryland Christmas Tree Association, check your local library or write P.O. Box. 1232, Abingdon, 21009. A partial list of area tree farms follows:
Anne Arundel County
* Mas-que Farm; Robert C. Giffen Jr.
About 1 mile southwest of Annapolis. From U.S. 50, take Exit 22, Road 665 to Forest Drive. Turn right onto Forest Drive until Spa Road. Turn right onto Spa Road and the farm is on the right. Open from Dec. 3 to Dec. 24, weekends only, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
L * McHugh's Christmas Tree Farm; Paul McHugh; (410) 721-5868.
About 1 mile north of Crofton. Take Route 3 for about 1 1/2 mile, then right on St. Stephen's Church Road for 1/4 mile to farm on left. Open from Dec. 1-23.
Baltimore County
* AAA Maryland Food Bank Tree Farm; (410) 947-4441, 947-0404 or 730-4324.
I-83 north to Exit 27E. Go right to traffic signal and turn right on York Road. Go south 1 block to first left turn (Monkton Road). Take Monkton Road to first left onto Big Falls Road. Follow Big Falls Road to where it changes to Hunters Mill Road. Go 1 block and turn right onto Bacon Road. Follow Bacon Road 1/4 mile to farm on right. Open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends through Dec. 18. Purchases help benefit the Maryland Food Bank.
* Doyle's Tree Farm; Dick Doyle; (410) 357-8056.
About 3 miles northeast of Hereford. From I-83, take Middletown Road (Exit 31) east 1/2 mile to dead end at York Road. Turn right on York Road for 1/4 mile to left on Weisburg Road and continue for 1/2 mile. Turn right on Bernoudy Road. Continue 1 mile to sign on right. Open through Dec. 18; weekends only, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Elliott's Ventura Farm; Sallie Waller; (410) 771-4510.
About 1 mile north of Butler. From Route 695 take Falls Road Exit 23B (Route 25). Go north on Falls Road for 5 miles to farm on right. Open Thursdays through Sundays only; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
* Frostee Tree Farm; George M. Winter; (410) 687-3344 or (410) 256-5560.
About 1 mile northeast of White Marsh Mall. Take I-95 north to U.S. 40 East. Follow it about 1/2 mile to Ebenezer Road, and take left onto Ebenezer Road, which becomes Cowenton Avenue. Farm is 1/2 mile on left. Look for sign. Open through Dec. 24; Monday to Wednesday, noon to dusk; Thursdays to Sundays dawn to dusk.
* Green Hill; William D. Purdum; (410) 592-7813.
About 8 miles from Towson. From Beltway take Dulaney Valley Road (Route 146) north for 4 miles. Cross the Loch Raven Bridge, bearing right 2 miles to Peerce's Plantation then left 2 miles, still on Dulaney Valley Road. Turn left onto Manor Road. Farm is 1 1/2 miles on your left. Open through Dec. 18; weekends only, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Jones Christmas Tree Farm; Gordon and Dreena Jones; (410) 771-4346.
North of Towson. From Beltway, take Dulaney Valley Road north and go across the Loch Raven Bridge. Bear left onto Jarrettsville Pike. Go through light at Four Corners. Turn left on Manor Road to Manor Tavern. Turn right onto Old York Road. Go 1 mile to farm on left. Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
* Locksley Tree Farm; Albert I. Dunstan; (410) 666-2652.
About 1/2 mile north of Jacksonville. From Beltway, take Dulaney Valley Road north and go across the Loch Raven Bridge. Bear left onto Jarrettsville Pike. Turn right on Stansbury Mill Road for 1 1/2 miles to Dunstan Lane, follow signs. Open through Dec. 24; weekends only 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Martin's Tree Farm; M. Amos Martin; (410) 374-2593.
From I-83N take 137W 5 miles, right on Falls Road 2 1/2 miles to farm on left.
Open through Dec. 24; weekends, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; weekdays, noon to 5 p.m.
L * Mount Carmel Tree Farm; Robert S. Curreri; (410) 329-8032.
About 3 miles west of Hereford. From Beltway, take I-83 north to Mount Carmel Road west, go 2 3/4 miles to sign on left. Open Dec. 1-23; daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
* Pleasant Hill Farm; George A. Lock; (410) 329-6239.
About 2 miles east of Hereford. Take I-83 north to Mount Carmel Road east. Go 1/2 mile then turn right onto York Road. Turn left onto Monkton Road for 1 3/4 miles to sign on left. Open Dec. 1-24; daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Pretty Boy Tree Farm; Harry Yingling; (410) 357-4924.
About 4 1/2 miles west of Parkton. From I-83, take Middletown Road west for 4 1/2 miles to farm on left. Open Saturdays and Sundays in December, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
* W. Kelley Rice; W. Kelley Rice; (410) 343-1212.
About 2 1/2 miles northwest of Exit 27 off I-83. Take Mount Carmel Road west 2/3 mile, right on Masemore Road 2 miles to sign on right. Open Dec. 3-23; weekdays by appointment, Saturday 9 a.m.-dusk; Sunday 1 p.m.-dusk.
* Robert A. Ruhl; Robert A. Ruhl; (410) 666-2924.
About 1/2 mile north of Jacksonville. From Beltway take Dulaney Valley Road north 4 miles, left on Jarrettsville Pike 5 miles to farm on left. Open Thursday through Sunday, 9 a.m. until dark.
* Stansbury Tree Farm; Kenneth W. Thompson; (410) 666-2531.
About 1/2 mile north of Jacksonville. From the Beltway take Dulaney Valley Road north 8 1/2 miles and bear left onto Jarrettsville Pike. Turn right onto Stansbury Mill Road for 1/8 miles. Farm is on right. Open through Dec. 24; weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekends 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Tannenbaum Manor Farms; (410) 298-8689. Take Beltway to Liberty Road (Exit 18W). Proceed to the fifth traffic light, Old Court Road, and turn left. Go 5 miles to a left on Davis Avenue. The farm is 1 1/2 miles on the left. Open Dec. 3-23; daily, 9 a.m to 4:30 p.m.
* Timber Hill Farm; Charles H. Marshall; (410) 343-1940.
About 3 1/2 miles southeast of Maryland Line. From I-83, take Old York Road (Exit 36) east 3 1/2 miles to sign on left. Open through Dec. 23; weekdays 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; weekends 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
* Waller Christmas Tree Farm; Bud Waller; (410) 357-5266.
About 1 1/2 miles west of Maryland Line. From I-83, go west on Old York Road (Exit 36) for 1/4 mile, right on York Road for 1 mile, left on Freeland Road for 1 1/2 miles to sign on left. Open through Dec. 23; daily 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Carroll County
* Country Green Tree Farm; Jay and Sue Beigel; (410) 876-2838.
About 6 miles north of Reisterstown. From Beltway take Northwest Expressway (Route 795) to Exit 9B (Route 140W) for 3 miles. Take left at light onto Gamber Road. Go 2 miles then turn right onto Deer Park Road for 3 miles. Turn left onto Bird View Road and go 1 mile. Farm on left. Open through Dec. 24; Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Feldhof Farm; Bill Fanning; (410) 876-7680.
About 6 miles east of Westminster. Take Route 27N from Westminster 2 1/2 miles. Take Route 482 East for .7 miles. Turn right on Leisters Church Road for 2.2 miles, turn left on Neudecker Road for 1/2 mile to farm on right. Open through Dec. 24; Thursday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Hirt Tree Farm; Clyde Hirt; (410) 876-8839.
About 2 miles south of Westminster. From Route 140 take Route 97 south 1 2/3 miles, left on Hook Road 1 1/4 miles, left on Arnold Road 1/2 mile to sign and farm on right. Open daily 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. till Dec. 24.
* Pine Valley Farms; Roger E. Wolfe; (410) 795-8314.
About 4 miles north of Woodbine. From I-70, take Route 97 north about 5 miles, turn left on Fannie Dorsey Road for 1 mile to farm entrance on right. Open Dec. 3-18; daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
L * Silver Meadow Farm; Mike and Linda Rhodes; (301) 829-9198.
About 6 miles north of Mount Airy. From I-70 take Route 27 north 4 miles. Turn right on Gillis Falls Road for 2 miles. Turn left on Davis Road 1/2 mile to sign on right. Open through Dec. 23; weekdays 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; weekends 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Thomas Tree Farm; Wayne Thomas; (410) 374-9538.
About 1/3 mile north of Manchester. From Beltway, take Northwest Expressway (Route 795) to Reisterstown. Take Route north through Manchester to sign on right. Open through Dec. 24; weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; weekends 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Harford County
* Applewood Farm; Brian and Pat Adelhardt; (410) 836-1140.
About 4 miles east of Whiteford. From I-95 take Route 22 north 5 miles. Turn right on Route 136 for 11 miles. Turn right on Prospect Road for 2 1/2 miles to farm on right. Open till Dec. 23; daily 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
* Environmental Evergreens; Bob and Mary Chance; (410) 457-4766.
About 12 miles north of Bel Air. From I-95 take Havre de Grace Exit 89 (Route 155) west toward Bel Air 3 miles, right on Darlington Road (Route 161) 5 miles, right on Route 623 for 1 mile to stop sign, turn left, farm is on left. Or, take Route 1 north of Bel Air 12 miles, left on Berkley Road 2/3 mile. Open through Dec. 24; weekdays 3 to 5 p.m., weekends 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Glen Elyn Nursery; Robert W. Coleman and Walter T. Brown IV; (410) 557-8181 or 254-6105.
About 2 miles north of Jacksonville. From I-95 take Fallston Exit (Route 152) for 12 miles. Turn left on Hess Road for 1 block to farm on left. Open through Dec. 24; daily 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
* Good Endeavor Farm; James R. Tillman; (410) 679-4086. About 1 mile north of Joppatowne. From U.S. 40 North, turn left on Joppa Farm Road to a right on Philadelphia Road (Route 7) for 1/4 mile to left on Bulls Lane; farm at end. Open till Dec. 22; daily 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
* Hickory Hill Tree Farm; Mark Rosenberg; (410) 838-TREE (Harford Co.), (410) 879-TREE (Baltimore).
About 6 miles north of Bel Air. Take I-95 north to Exit 80. Turn left on Route 543 for 12 miles to farm on right. Open through Dec. 23; weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekends 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
* Hickory Tree Farm North; 838-TREE (Harford Co.), 879-TREE (Baltimore).
About 2 miles north of Hickory Hill Tree Farm. Signs and parking lot on left. Open through Dec. 19; weekends only 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Jarrettsville Nurseries; James A. Thomas and Charles W. St. Clair; (410) 838-3966 or (410) 557-9630.
About 5 miles north of Jarrettsville. From Jarrettsville take Route 165 north 5 miles. Turn right to St. Clair Bridge Road for 1/2 miles, then to farm. Open till Dec. 23; weekdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekends 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Maranatha Tree Farm; Daniel and Ann McConaughy; (410) 692-2517.
About 7 miles southeast of Maryland Line. From I-83 take Exit 36 east, turn left on Route 439 for 5 1/2 miles, then left on Dry Branch-Jolly Acres Roads, 1/2 mile to sign on right. Open through Dec. 18; daily 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
* Walnut Grove Tree Farm; Sandy and Joe Kaminkow; (410) 557-7737.
About 1 mile north of Upper Cross Roads. Take U.S. 1 north to Fallston Road (Route 152) west 6 miles. Turn right on Baldwin Road (Route 165) and go north 1 mile. Turn left on Charles Street for 1 mile; then right onto Walnut Grove Tree Farm Lane. Open through Dec. 24; daily except Tuesday and Wednesday 9 a.m. to dark.
Howard County
L * Greenway Farms; David and Marianne Healey; (410) 442-2388.
Take I-70 West toward Frederick. Take Route 97 north for 1/4 mile to first right onto Monticello Drive. Follow 1 mile to Reps Road. Farm on left. Open through Dec. 21; weekdays 3 p.m.-5 p.m., weekends 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Kyne Nursery & Tree Farm; Philip W. and Joy Kyne; (410) 442-2088.
About 2 1/2 miles south of Sykesville. From I-70 take Route 32 (Exit 80) north 1/2 mile. Turn left on Old Frederick Road, go 1 1/2 miles. Turn right on Underwood Road to end, turn left on Forsythe Road. Go 1/2 mile to sign on left. Open through Dec. 24; Monday to Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Larriland Farm; Guy L. Moore; (410) 442-2605.
Take I-70 west toward Frederick. Take Exit 73 to Route 94S toward Lisbon for 2 miles. Farm on left. Open Dec. 3-18; Tues.-Sun. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Monday.