You've made the decision: You're going to cut down your own Christmas tree this year. Yes, you're going to put on your L.L. Bean mud boots and Windbloc gloves, go tramping through the fields of a Christmas tree farm and lay claim to a fresher than fresh yule arbor.

So where to find this farm? Frankly, all over. Choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms abound in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Howard County and Harford County, as well as other areas of our state.

Whether you've got a particular type of tree in mind or haven't a clue as to which tree is which, knowledgeable owners and staff of the Christmas tree farms will be more than willing to point you in the right direction, offer tips and answer questions.

The following list of metro-area Christmas tree farms includes directions, dates and hours of operation, and phone numbers. Call ahead if you've got your heart set on a single type of tree (to be sure it's available), or else make a day of it looking for the perfect tree.

Anne Arundel County

Friendship Trees. 410-741-5712. In Friendship. From Route 301, take Route 4 south to Route 260 to Route 778. Go left on Route 778 a half-mile to farm on left. Open through Dec. 15, noon-4:30 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekends.

Masque Farm. 410-757-4454. In Annapolis. From Route 50 (east or west), take the Aris T. Allen Boulevard exit and continue on the highway as it becomes Forest Drive. Turn right onto Spa Road. Masque Farm Road is about 500 yards from the corner on the right. Open through Dec. 22, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends.

Nicholson Tree Farm Inc. 301-855-4243. In Bristol-Deale. Take 301 to Route 4 east to 258 Bristol-Deale Exit to Little Road. Make a left after three-quarters of a mile, then follow signs. From Annapolis, take Route 2 south toward Prince Frederick 258. Make a right at light at 258 and then go about 3.5 miles until a right on Little Road. Farm is three-quarters of a mile on left. Open through Dec. 24, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays; 7 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends.

Baltimore County

All Timber Hill Farm. 410-343-1940. In Parkton/White Hall. From Interstate 83 take Exit 36 (Route 439, Old York Road) east for 3.5 miles to sign on left. Open Thursdays-Mondays, through Dec. 22, 9:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m. weekdays; 8:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m. weekends.

Elliott's Ventura Farm. 410-771-4510. In Butler. From the Beltway, take Falls Road Exit 23B (Route 25). Proceed north on Falls Road for 12 miles to farm on right. Open through Dec. 22, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays.

Feezers Farm, LLC. 410-461-5654. In Marriottsville. About five miles west of Randallstown. From the Beltway, take Exit 18, Route 26 west. Go eight miles. Turn left on Wards Chapel Road and go 1.8 miles to sign on right. Or take Interstate 70 west from the Beltway to Marriottsville Road north past the McKeldin Area of Patapsco Valley State Park to sign on left. Open weekends through Dec. 22, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Four Season Nursery and Christmas Tree Plantation. 410-557-8181. In Monkton. From the Beltway, take Exit 27 north to concrete bridge, bear left onto Jarrettsville Pike, go 11 miles to Route 152, take next left at Houcks Mill Road, go 1.7 miles to farm. Open through Dec. 24, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.

Frostee Tree Farm. 410-687-3344 or 410-256-5560. In Perry Hall. About one mile northeast of White Marsh Mall. From the Beltway, take I-95 north to Route 40 east. Take Route 40 a quarter-mile to a left on Ebenezer Road, which becomes Cowenton Avenue. Go to sign on left. Open through Dec. 24, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.

Green Hill Farm. 410-592-7813. In Baldwin. About eight miles from Towson. From the Beltway, take Exit 27 (Dulaney Valley Road). Go north four miles, crossing Loch Raven Bridge. Bear right at the fork after crossing the bridge. Go two miles to Peerce's Plantation. Bear left at the fork (staying on Dulaney Valley Road) and go two miles to Manor Road. Turn left and go 1.5 miles to the farm on the left. Open through Dec. 22, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends.

Jones' Christmas Tree Plantation. 410-771-4346. In Monkton. From the Beltway, take Exit 27 (Dulaney Valley Road) north. Cross over Loch Raven Bridge, then bear left onto Route 146 North, go 8.3 miles to the red light in Jacksonville. Go through the light while on Route 146 to Manor Road to the Manor Tavern Restaurant. Turn right on Old York Road and proceed 1 1/8 miles to the farm on left. At 16500 Old York Road. Open through Dec. 22, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekends.

Martin's Tree Farm. 410-374-8114. Near the Carroll County town of Hampstead, but in Baltimore County. Take I-83 north to Exit 27. Turn left and go seven miles west on Route 137 to right on Falls Road. Farm is 2.5 miles on left. Open through Dec. 24, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays.

Mount Carmel Tree Farm. 410-329-8032. In Parkton. Three miles west of Hereford. From the Beltway, take I-83 north to Mount Carmel Road (Exit 27). Go west 2.75 miles to sign on left. Open through Dec. 24, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.

Ruhl's Tree Farm. 410-666-2924. In Phoenix. About a half-mile north of Jacksonville. From the Beltway, take Exit 27B (Dulaney Valley Road). Go four miles, then turn left on Jarrettsville Pike, go five miles to farm on left. Open through Dec. 23, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

Stansbury Christmas Tree Farm. 410-666-2531. In Jacksonville. From the Beltway, take Exit 27B north to Route 146. Go 8.5 miles. Turn right on Stans-bury Mill Road, go an eighth of a mile. Farm on right. Open through Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily.

Carroll County

Cedar Creek Farm. 410-848-4302. In Westminster. From Route 140, turn onto Gorsuch Road. Go approximately two to 2.5 miles and turn left onto Tannery Road before the railroad tracks. Cedar Creek Farm is on the left. Open through Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays.

Davidson Christmas Tree Farm. 410-239-6556 or 410-239-3737. In Upperco. About six miles north of Reisterstown. From the Beltway, take Exit 19 (Route 795 north). Take Exit 9B (Route 140 west). Go three miles, then turn right on Route 91 (Emory Road), go three miles, then left on Emory Church Road and go for one mile to sign. Farm on right. Open through Dec. 22, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays-Sundays.

Feldhof Farm. 410-876-7680. Five miles east of Westminster. Take Route 140/97 to Gorsuch Road. (McDonald's on corner.) Go east on Gorsuch 3.1 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 through Dec. 22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays.

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

Hirt Tree Farm. 410-876-8839. In Westminster. Take Route 140 to 97 south. Turn left on Hook Road. Drive 1.5 miles. Turn left on Arnold Road. It's the first farm on right (follow signs). Open through Dec. 24, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.

JCK Christmas Tree Farm. 410-876-TREE or 410-346-7597. In Taneytown. About seven miles west of Westminster. Take Route 140 west for seven miles to Mayberry Road. Turn right on Mayberry Road and follow signs 2.5 miles to farm. Open through Dec. 22, Tuesdays-Sundays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Judy's Nursery. 410-876-7647. In Westminster. From the Beltway, take Exit 19 (Route 795 north) 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 through Dec. 24, 4 p.m.-dark weekdays, 9 a.m.-dark weekends.

Otterdale View Christmas Tree Farm. 410-775-0176. Two miles west of Uniontown. 11 miles west of Westminster. From Route 140, take Route 31 south for half-mile, then turn right to Uniontown Road. Go nine miles, then west on Middleburg Road for two 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, five miles to farm lane on left. Open through Dec. 22, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

Pine Valley Farms. 410-795-8314. In Sykesville. North of Woodbine. From I-70 take Exit 76 north (Route 97). Go 4.9 miles. Turn left on Fannie Dorsey Road, go 1.3 miles and look for farm entrance on right. Open through Dec. 16, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

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

Quality Evergreens. 410-374-1499. Just north of Manchester. Take the Beltway to Route 795 to Route 30 north to the Pennsylvania/Maryland line. Turn left onto Garrett Road. Follow signs half-mile to farm. Open through Dec. 22, noon-5 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends.

Sewell's Farm. 410-756-4397. In Taneytown. From Westminster, use Route 140 west through Taneytown. Turn right onto Harney Road, go a half-mile to farm on left. Open through Dec. 22, 8 a.m-5 p.m. daily.

Silver Meadow Farm. 301-829-9198. In Woodbine. Six miles north of Mount Airy. From I-70 take Route 27 north. Go four miles. Turn right on Gillis Falls Road, go two miles and turn left on Davis Road. Go a half-mile to farm on right. Open through Dec. 23, 1 p.m.-5 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends.

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

Zepp's Tree Farm. 410-848-4944. In Westminster. From Westminster, take Route 97 south to a right on Nicodemus Road. Go a quarter-mile to the farm on left. Open through Dec. 24, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends.

Harford County

Applewood Farm. 410-836-1140. In Whiteford. From I-95 take Exit 80 north. Go two miles to Route 136 north through Churchville. Go 11 miles. Turn right on Prospect Road. Go 2.5 miles. Open through Dec. 22, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekends.

Deer Creek Valley Tree Farm. 410-692-9793. In Street. Eight miles north of U.S. 1 and one mile past Route 646 or 1.5 miles south of Route 165. At 3744 Ady Road, which is Route 543. Open through Dec. 22, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays-Sundays; noon-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays.

Environmental Evergreens Tree Farm. 410-457-4766 or 410-457-4842. In Darlington. Take I-95 north to Exit 89 west toward Havre de Grace (Route 155). Go three miles. Go right on Route 161 through Darlington. Follow signs. Or north on U.S. 1 for 12 miles above Bel Air. Open through Dec. 23, 10 a.m.-dusk daily.

Evergreen Farm. 410-939-0659. About five miles north of Havre de Grace. Take Havre de Grace exit off I-95, go west on Route 155 about a 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 through Dec. 24, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

Family Tree Farm. 410-734-7702. In Churchville. Located four miles west of Aberdeen. Take I-95 to Exit 5, or from Bel Air take Route 22 east five miles to Churchville crossroads: the intersection of Routes 22 and 136. Farm sign is 100 yards east of intersection on Route 22. Open through Dec. 21, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays-Sundays.

Gate Hill Farm. 410-734-7516. About 2.5 miles south of Churchville. From I-95, take Exit 80 toward Churchville (Route 543) and proceed for 1.9 miles, then take a right onto Calvary Road (Route 136) and go 1.2 miles. Take a right on James Run Road and go 0.6 mile to the farm on right. Open through Dec. 24, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.

Jarrettsville Nurseries. 410-557-9677, 410-557-9630 or 410-838-3966. Near Jarrettsville. Two locations: St. Clair Bridge Road and Holy Cross Road. Five 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 through Dec. 22, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends.

Maranatha Tree Farm. 410-692-2517. In White Hall. Seven miles southeast of Maryland line. Take I-83 north; take Exit 36. Left from exit ramp onto Route 439 toward Bel Air. Go six miles, then turn left at Dry Branch Road/Jolly Acres Road. Farm is a quarter-mile on right. Open through Dec. 22, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays.

Walnut Grove Tree Farm. 410-557-7737. In Fallston. About one mile north of Upper Cross Road. Take U.S. 1 north to Fallston Road west (Route 152). Go six miles. Turn right on Baldwin Mill Road (Route 165) and go north one mile. Turn left on Charles Street; go one mile. Then right onto Walnut Grove Tree Farm Lane. Open through December, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays.

Howard County

Greenway Farms. 410-442-2388. In Woodbine. 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 one mile to tree farm on left. From Washington, take Route 97 (Georgia Avenue) north 15 miles past Olney to left on Route 144. Follow one mile to tree farm on left. Open through Dec. 22, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekends.

Timber Falls Tree Farm. 410-788-7277. In Mount Airy. Take I-70 to Route 27 north. Go one mile and make a right on Twin Arch Road. Go one mile to a left on Old Frederick Road. Go a tenth-mile to farm on left. Open weekends through Dec. 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Triadelphia Lake View Tree Farm. 410-489-4460. In Glenelg. From Olney, go eight miles north on Route 97 to Roxbury Road. Go two miles to Triadelphia Road. Turn right, go two 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 eight miles, left on Triadelphia Mill Road. Go four miles to farm. Open through Dec. 22, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

A treasury of tree facts

In 1510, the first decorated Christmas tree was displayed in Riga, Latvia. Early Christmas trees were decorated with paper, fruit and sweets.

In 1531, the first retail Christmas tree lots appeared in German cities.

By the 1600s, Christmas trees were decorated with ribbon, tin shapes, small books and lace, as well as food.

In the 18th century, Christmas trees decorated with lighted candles made their first appearance.

In 1777, the tradition of the Christmas tree was brought to Colonial America by Hessian troops fighting for Britain in the Revolutionary War.

In 1804, U.S. soldiers stationed at Fort Dearborn (now Chicago) brought evergreen trees into their barracks at Christmas.

In 1842, Charles Minnegrode introduced the custom of a decorated Christmas tree in Williamsburg, Va.

In 1851, Mark Carr opened a retail Christmas tree lot in New York City, the first in the United States.

In 1856, Franklin Pierce, our 14th president, brought a Christmas tree into the White House for the first time.

In 1923, President Calvin Coolidge started the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, since held every year on the White House lawn.

In 1966, members of the National Christmas Tree Association started the tradition of presenting a real Christmas tree to the president and first family.

There are approximately 30 million real Christmas trees sold in North America every year.

North American real Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states and Canada.

For every real Christmas tree harvested, two to three seedlings are planted in its place the following spring.

There are about 15,000 Christmas tree growers in North America.

It can take as many as 15 years to grow a tree of average retail-sale height (6 feet), but the average growing time is seven years.

Source: National Christmas Tree Association