For some people, Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without the annual ritual of trekking to a farm and choosing a tree. Now is the time to get out there to get some of the choicest picks.

"From what people have been calling and asking about, I would (( say the most popular ones are the Douglas fir and the Fraser fir," says JoAnn Cashman, executive secretary of the Maryland Christmas Tree Association.

"We don't have as many Fraser firs grown around here," she says. "But more and more farmers are trying to grow them because people are asking for them."

To make sure you get the most for your dollar, make sure the tree is up to par.

"They need to check for freshness," Cashman says. "If you bend a needle, it shouldn't just break, it should go 'boing,' is the best way I can describe it. Of course, you will have some brown leaves, but it shouldn't be a lot of leaves. If you see a brown branch, it's probably a dried tree."

The Christmas-tree-buying season is just now kicking into high gear.

"It's busy the first weekend [after] Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve," Cashman says. "The phone is ringing now. Most people who are calling now want to get the 'choose and cut' brochure."

When preparing to choose a tree, it's best to call ahead to the farm to check hours before piling the family in the car for the trip.

"A lot of farmers just work weekends, but some are open all week," she says.

Prices vary according to the size of the tree and the area. "Here in Carroll County, we have trees for around $18. But in Montgomery County, the trees could go for around $40," Cashman says.

Once the Christmas tree is home, some tree farmers recommend, cut a quarter- to a half-inch off the base of the trunk. Be sure the tree stand is always filled with water.

Then decorate. Sit back. Enjoy.

Tree farms

Here's a list of farms in the area where you can cut your own Christmas tree. For more tree tips, see the National Christmas Tree Association Web site at www.christree.org.

Brandy Farms. 410-721-5868. About 1 mile north of Crofton. Take Route 3 north to St. Stephens Church Road. Farm is first house on the left at Brandy Farm Lane. Nov. 27-Dec. 20, or until sold out. Noon-4 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends.

Friendship Trees. 410-741-5712. From Capital Beltway take Route 4 south to Route 260 to Route 778. Go left on Route 778 a half mile to farm on left. Open Nov. 27-Dec. 20, or until sold out. Noon-4: 30 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m.-4: 30 p.m. weekends.

All Timber Hill Farm. 410-343-1940. From Interstate 83 take Exit 36 (Route 439, Old York Road) east for 3.5 miles to sign on left. Open daily: Nov. 27-Dec. 23. 9: 30 a.m.-4: 30 p.m. weekdays; 8: 30 a.m.-4: 30 p.m. weekends.

Doyle's Tree Farm. 410-357-8056. About 3 miles northeast of Hereford. From I-83, take Middletown Road (Exit 31) east a half mile to dead end at York Road. Turn right on York Road, go quarter mile, turn left on Wiseburg Road and continue for half mile. Turn right on Bernoudy Road. Continue 1 mile to sign on right. Open Nov. 27-Dec. 20, weekends only, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Elliott's Ventura Farms. 410-771-4510. In Butler. From I-695 take Falls Road Exit 23B (Route 25). Proceed north on Falls Road for 12 miles to farm on right. Open Nov. 27-Dec. 20, Thursdays-Sundays only, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Feezers Tree Farm. 410-461-5654 or 410-461-5555. About 5 miles west of Randallstown. From the Beltway take Exit 18, Route 26 west, for 8 miles. Turn left on Wards Chapel Road, go 1.8 miles to sign on right. Or take I-70 west from Beltway to Marriottsville Road north past the McKeldin Area of Patapsco Valley State Park to sign on left. Open Dec. 5-20, 7: 30 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends.

Frostee Tree Farms. 410-687-3344 or 410-256-5560. About 1 mile northeast of White Marsh Mall. From I-695 take I-95 north to first exit to Route 40 east. Take Route 40 a quarter mile to a left on Ebenezer Road, which becomes Cowenton Avenue, to sign on left. Open Nov. 27-Dec. 25, 8 a.m.-dark daily.

Green Hill Farm. 410-592-7813. About eight miles from Towson. From I-695 take Exit 27 (Dulaney Valley Road) north 4 miles, crossing Loch Raven Bridge, then bear right 2 miles to Peerce's Plantation, then left 2 miles along Dulaney Valley Road to Manor Road. Turn left onto Manor Road and the farm is 1.5 miles on the left. Open Nov. 28-Dec. 20, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends.

Martin's Tree Farm. 410-374-2593. Take I-83 north to Exit 27. Turn left and go 7 miles west on Route 137 to right on Falls Road. Farm is 2.5 miles on left. Open through Dec. 24, Wednesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Mount Carmel Tree Farm. 410-329-8032. Three miles west of Hereford. From Beltway take I-83 north to Mount Carmel Road (Exit 27). Go west 2.75 miles to sign on left. Open Nov. 27-Dec. 23, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.

Oak Hill Tree Farm. 410-343-1212. About 2.5 miles northwest of Hereford. Take Exit 27 off I-83. Take Mount Carmel Road west for about a half mile, then go right on Masemore Road over Gunpowder River to sign on right. Open Dec. 5-Dec. 20, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

Pleasant Hill Farm. 410-329-6239. Take I-83 north to Mount Carmel Road east. Go half mile, then right on York Road. Turn left on Monkton Road, go 1.8 miles to sign on left. Open Nov. 28-Dec. 22, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

Ruhl's Tree Farm. 410-666-2924. About half mile north of Jacksonville. From I-695 take Exit 27B (Dulaney Valley Road) for 4 miles, then turn left on Jarrettsville Pike, go 5 miles to farm on left. Open Nov. 27-Dec. 24, 9 a.m-5 p.m. daily.

Stansbury Christmas Tree Farm. 410-666-2531. About half mile north of Jacksonville. From I-695 take Exit 27B north to Route 146 for 8.5 miles. Turn right on Stansbury Mill Road, go an eighth of a mile. Farm on right. Open Nov. 28-Dec. 24, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

Davidson Christmas Tree Farm. 410-239-6556 or 410-374-2348. About 6 miles north of Reisterstown. From I-695 take Exit 19 (Route 795 north). Take Exit 9B (Route 140 west) for 3 miles, then turn right on Route 91 (Emory Road), go 3 miles, then left on Emory Church Road for 1 mile to sign. Farm on right. Open Nov. 27-Dec. 24, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.

Feldhof Farm. 410-876-7680 or 410-876-3310. Five miles east of Westminster. Take Route 140/97 to Gorsuch Road. (McDonald's corner.) Go east on Gorsuch 3.7 miles to Leisters Church Road. Turn right, go 1.2 miles to Neudecker Road. Turn left, go a quarter mile to farm on right. Open Nov. 28 to Dec. 20. Thursday-Sunday only, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Fra-Mar Tree Farm. 410-374-2868. From the Beltway, take 795 north to Route 30 west to Hampstead. At Shiloh Road, follow signs to farm at 3601 Shiloh Road. Turn left at farm. Open Nov. 27-Dec. 23, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Hirt Tree Farm. 410-876-8839. Take Route 140 to 97 south. Turn left on Hook Road. Drive 1.5 miles. Turn left on Arnold Road. First farm on right (follow signs). Open Nov. 27-Dec. 24; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.

JCK Christmas Tree Farm. 410-876-TREE or 410-346-7597. About miles west of Westminster. Take Route 140 west 7 miles to Mayberry Road. Turn right on Mayberry Road and follow signs 2.5 miles to farm. Open Nov. 28-Dec. 23, Tuesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Judy's Nursery. 410-876-7647. In Westminster. From I-695 take Exit 19 (Route 795 N) to Route 140 toward Westminster. Go left onto Route 91 south, then right on Deer Park Road. Left on Bird View Road; farm is first driveway on right. Open Dec. 1-24, 4 p.m.-dark weekdays, 9 a.m.-dark weekends.

Otterdale View Christmas Tree Farm. 410-775-0176. 11 miles west of Westminster. From Route 140, take 31 south for half mile, then turn right to Uniontown Road. Go 9 miles, then west on Middleburg Road for 2 miles to farm on right. (Farm is half mile off road.) From Frederick take Route 26 to Route 194 north to Keymar, right on Middleburg Road, 5 miles to farm lane on left. Open Nov. 27-Dec. 20; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

Pine Valley Farms. On the Web at http: //www.pinevalleyfarms.com or 410-795-8314. North of Woodbine. From I-70 take Exit 76 (Route 97) north 4.9 miles. Turn left on Fannie Dorsey Road, go 1.1 miles and look for farm entrance on right. Open Nov. 27-Dec. 24, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

Putman Tree Farm. 410-876-1380 or 410-875-0865. Five miles south of Westminster. From I-795 take Route 140 north for 11 miles; go left on Route 97, south for 5 miles; left on Nicodemus Road, 1 mile to sign on left. Open through Dec. 24, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

Seven Springs Farm & Old Barn Greenery. 410-239-3538. From Westminster, take Route 27 north to Route 30, make a right on Route 30, left at first light, which is York Street, go three-fourths mile and make a right on Millers Station Road. Watch for signs; farm is half mile on left. From Baltimore, call for directions. Open Nov. 27-Dec 23, 9 a.m. to dark daily.

Sewell's Farm. 410-756-4397. From Westminster, use Route 140 west through Taneytown. Turn right onto Harney Road, go half mile to farm on left. Open Nov. 27-Dec. 23, 8 a.m-5 p.m. daily.

Showvaker's Quality Evergreens. 410-374-1499. Take I-695 to I-795 to Route 30 north to the Pennsylvania/Maryland line. Turn left onto Garrett Road. Follow signs half mile to farm. Open Nov. 27-Dec. 23, 1 p.m.-5 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends.

Silver Meadow Farm. 301-829-9198. Six miles north of Mount Airy. From I-70 take Route 27 north 4 miles. Turn right on Gillis Falls Road, go 2 miles and turn left on Davis Road. Go half mile to farm on right. Open Nov. 28-Dec. 23, 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Thomas Tree Farm. 410-374-9538. From 695 take 795 north to Exit 9A, which is Route 30 north, to Manchester. Farm is one-third mile north of Manchester, on the right. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Open through Dec. 24.

Applewood Farm. 410-836-1140. 14 miles north of Bel Air. From I-95 take Exit 80, Route 543 north 2 miles to Route 136 north through Churchville. Go 11 miles. Turn right on Prospect Road. Go 2.5 miles. Open Nov. 27-Dec. 20, 9 a.m.-4: 30 p.m. daily.

Deer Creek Valley Tree Farm. 410-692-9793. 3744 Ady Road, which is Route 543. 8 miles north of U.S. 1 and 1 mile past Route 646 or 1.5 miles south of Route 165. Open Nov. 28 to Dec 20. Weekends 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Environmental Evergreens Tree Farm. 410-457-4766 or 410-459-5362. About 12 miles north of Bel Air near Conowingo Dam. Take I-95 north to Exit 89 (Havre de Grace), follow Route 155 west for 3 miles. Go right on Route 161 through Darlington. Follow signs. Or north on U.S. 1 north for 12 miles above Bel Air. Open Nov. 27-Dec. 24, 3 p.m.-5 p.m. weekdays; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends.

Evergreen Farm. 410-939-0659 or 410-272-8705. Take Havre De Grace Exit off I-95, go west on Route 155 about half mile to Earlton Road. Turn left, go 150 yards to Webster Road. Turn left, farm is on right. Signs are posted from Route 155. Open Nov. 27-Dec. 24, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

Family Tree Farm. 410-734-6146 or 410-734-7702. Four miles west of Aberdeen; take I-95 to Exit 5 or from Bel Air take Route 22 east 5 miles to Churchville Cross Roads, Route 22/136. Farm sign 100 yards east of intersection on Route 22. Open Nov. 27-Dec. 23; noon-5 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. weekends.

Hale Tree Farm. 410-557-7892. From intersection of Routes 146 and 23 at Madonna, follow Route 23 north 5 miles to farm on right. From I-83, take Route 439 to Route 23, about 3 miles, farm on right. Open Nov. 28-Dec. 24, daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Wednesdays.

Hickory Hill Tree Farm. 410-879-8733 or 410-838-8733. 6 miles north of Bel Air. Go north on U.S. 1 to Route 543. Go left on 543, go 3.3 miles to sign on right. From Baltimore, take I-95 north to Exit 80, Route 543. Left (north) on Route 543, 12 miles to farm on right. Open daily, Nov. 27-Dec. 23, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Hickory Hill Tree Farm North. 410-879-8733 or 410-838-8733. About 2 miles north of Hickory Hill Tree Farm (see previous listing). Signs and parking lot on left. Open Nov. 28 through Dec. 20, weekends only, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Jarrettsville Nurseries. 410-557-9677, 410-557-9630 or 410-838-3966. Two locations: St. Clair Bridge Road and Holy Cross Road. 5 miles north of Jarrettsville off Route 165 north, or from Bel Air take Route 24 north to St. Clair Bridge Road north of Rocks State Park. Open Nov. 27-Dec. 20, 10 a.m.-4: 30 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends.

Maranatha Tree Farm. 410- 692-2517 (recorded message). 7 miles southeast of Maryland line. From I-83 take Exit 36 east. Left at Route 439, go 5.5 miles, left at Dry Branch-Jolly Acres Road, half mile, right at sign. Open Nov. 28-Dec. 20, 9 a.m.-4: 30 p.m. (Closed Monday.)

Walnut Grove Tree Farm. 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 Mill Road (Route 165) and go north 1 mile. Turn left on Charles Street, go 1 mile. Then right onto Walnut Grove Tree Farm Lane. Open through Dec. 24, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, except Tuesday and Wednesday.

Frank's Fraser Fir Farm. 410-489-7722. Take I-70 west to Exit 76 (Route 97). Go south on 97 for a half mile, right on Frederick Road (Route 144). Go 2 miles to Daisy Road, turn left. Go 3 miles to Ed Warfield Road, turn right on Duvall Road. Farm is at corner. Open Nov. 27-Dec. 22, noon-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends.

Greenway Farms. 410-442-2388. From Baltimore, take I-70 toward Frederick. Take Exit 76, turn left (Route 97 south), go a quarter mile to first right (Route 144), follow 1 mile to tree farm on left. From Washington, take Route 97 (Georgia Avenue) north 15 miles past Olney to left on Route 144. Follow 1 mile to tree farm on left. Open Nov. 27-Dec. 22, 11 a.m.-4: 30 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m.-4: 30 p.m. weekends.

Larriland Farm. 410-442-2605 or 301-854-5420. From Baltimore take I-70 east to Exit 73. Go 2.5 miles south on Route 94. Farm on left. From Washington take Georgia Avenue (Route 97) north to Howard County line. Make first left onto Jennings Chapel Road. Go 6 miles to first four-way intersection, turn right on Route 94. Go a quarter mile to farm on right. Nov. 28-Dec. 20, 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Timber Falls Tree Farm. 410-788-7277. Take I-70 to Route 27 for 1 mile north, go right on Twin Arch Road for 1 mile, go left on Old Frederick Road for a tenth mile to farm on left. Open Dec. 5-20, weekends, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Triadelphia Lake View Farm. 410-489-4460. From Olney, go 8 miles north on Route 97 to Roxbury Road. Go 2 miles to Triadelphia Road. Turn right, 2 miles to farm. From Route 32, turn on Ten Oaks Road. Take first right, go 3.5 miles to farm. From Route 29, turn on Route 216 toward Highland/Clarksville. Go 8 miles, left on Triadelphia Mill Road. Go 4 miles to farm. Nov. 27-Dec. 24, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Sunday.

Pub Date: 11/26/98