Only in Maryland: Maryland’s Oldest Christmas Tree Farms

Maryland boasts 75 Christmas tree farms – and its own Christmas Tree Association! The primary species of Christmas Trees grown in Maryland are Scotch Pine, White Pine, Blue Spruce, Douglas Fir, and Fraser Fir, according to the Maryland Christmas Tree Association. Preservation Maryland works to protect the state’s cultural landscapes and supports it’s regional legacy businesses, so this holiday season we’re featuring three of Maryland’s oldest Christmas tree farms:

Photo credit: LOC

Pine Valley Farms

Sykesville, Carroll County

Originally a farm growing corn and alfalfa, the first Christmas trees were planted at Pine Valley in 1977. The Wolfe family continues to operate the farm today. Pine Valley Farms is a member of Carroll Grown, a component of the Carroll County Department of Economic Development that connects consumers, restaurateurs, and farmers to promote local agricultural heritage.

Jarrettsville Nurseries

Street, Harford County

The oldest Christmas tree farm in Maryland, Jarrettsville Nurseries has been selling trees since 1961. Located in Deer Creek Valley, the farm is well suited to grow a variety of trees, including Fraser fir, Douglas fir, and blue spruce. The Nursery was one of the first members of the Maryland Christmas Tree Association and remains committed to preserving Harford County’s farmland.

Pine Valley Christmas Trees

Elkton, Cecil County

Before selling Christmas trees, Pine Valley Christmas Trees was a dairy farm dating from the 1840s. The first Christmas trees were planted in the late 1950s and included blue spruce, Norway spruce, blue pine and Scotch pine. Since selling their first tree in 1963, the fifth generation of the Underwood family keeps this Cecil County tradition alive today.