Hartland Farm and Orchard offers a wide selection of Christmas trees for your family. Photo courtesy of the farm

Cut-Your-Own Christmas Tree Farms in Northern Virginia

Hartland Farm and Orchard — Markham

An hour's drive west of DC, Hartland offers a wide variety of Christmas tree varieties to cut down, including white pine, blue spruce, Serbian spruce, and Douglas and Fraser firs. Cut-your-own trees cost $60 each. Pre-cut Fraser firs, fresh wreaths, tree stands and food, and Christmas ornaments are also available for purchase. Saws, tree shaking and wrapping, and tie-down assistance are provided free of charge. There will also be complimentary hot chocolate on weekends. The farm asks that you bring wipes for the sled and saw handles.

Oak Shade Tree Farm — Rixeyville

Oak Shade has a great selection of white pines and Norway spruces (up to 12 feet tall) available to cut down. All cut-your-own trees, no matter the size, cost $60. You can also select from fresh, pre-cut Norway spruces at various prices starting about three weeks before Christmas. The farm provides saws, and leashed dogs are allowed.

Snickers Gap Tree Farm —Round Hill

Snickers Gap offers hand-shaped Douglas firs and Colorado blue spruces ranging in size from under seven feet to over 11 feet. Trees cost $135 to $275. The farm provides saws for cutting and twine for tying the tree to your vehicle, but you're on your own when it comes to securing the tree to your car. Fresh wreaths and apple cider are available for purchase, and the Snack Shack serves up hot dogs, hot chocolate, and other snacks.

Valley Star Farm — Luray

About 10 minutes away from Luray Caverns (maybe a full day trip is in order?), Valley Star Farm has acres of white pines, Norway spruces, Colorado blue spruces, Canaan firs, Concolor firs, and Douglas firs for you to cut down (or have them cut down for you) while enjoying spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Pre-cut trees are available as well, and the farm offers free shaking and bagging. Most of the trees cost $53 to $59, and you can also purchase fresh wreaths, swags, and more.

Pick from Butler's Orchard's selection of Douglas and Canaan firs. Photo courtesy of Butler's Orchard

Cut-Your-Own Christmas Tree Farms in Maryland

Butler's Orchard — Germantown

Butler's Orchard's cut-your-own Christmas trees, which include Douglas and Canaan firs ranging from five to seven feet tall, cost $74.95 apiece. Pre-cut trees are also available. The farm provides saws, shaking, and baling, and will secure your tree to the top of your car for you. Time/date-specific tickets must be purchased online, in advance ($5/car) in addition to the cost of the tree. Advance reservations are required for $5 per car, which includes admission to Holiday Harvest Days, where families can visit farm animals, play on slides and a playground, and more. Santa will also visit on December 5, 12, and 19 from 11am - 3pm.

Friendship Trees — Friendship

Friendship Trees offers a good selection of fir, pine, and spruce Christmas trees to cut down, as well as pre-cut Fraser firs (up to 12 feet tall) from North Carolina. An on-site Christmas shop sells wreaths, ornaments, crafts, holiday decorations, and more. Leashed dogs are welcome!

Naughty Pine Nursery — Dickerson

Naughty Pine's selection of cut-your-own trees includes Douglas firs, blue spruces, and Norway spruces. You can also opt for a pre-cut Fraser fir or Scotch Pine tree. Prices for cut-your-own trees range from $65 for trees up to right feet tall to $400+ for trees 16 feet and taller (though who can fit one of those in their house?). While you're there, pick up some seasoned oak firewood,

Showvaker's Christmas Tree Farm — Manchester

While it's a bit of a hike (nearly two hours north of DC), Showvaker's is the place to go if you want a BIG tree. The farm has trees as tall as 18 feet—and people who can help you cut them down if the task seems too daunting. Showvaker's offers eight varieties of fir, spruce, and pine trees starting at $60. Kids can also visit with Santa on weekends from 11am to 3pm, or leave letters for him in his special mailbox. Leashed dogs are allowed at the farm!

Dan and Bryan's tree lot features trees from their West Virginia farm. Photo courtesy of Dan and Bryan Trees

If You Don't Want to Cut Your Own Christmas Tree...

Dan and Bryan Christmas Trees — Woodley Park

If leaving town and cutting your own Christmas tree seems overwhelming this year, Dan and Bryan's popular tree lots at Church of the Annunciation in DC and in Chevy Chase, Maryland might be a great compromise. Trees cut fresh from their West Virginia farm include Douglas and Fraser firs in all shapes and sizes.

This article was first published in 2020 and is updated annually.