DMV Christmas Tree Guide: Tree Farms, Local Lots & Home-Prep Tips

Finding the right Christmas tree in the DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia area is all about matching your family’s traditions with the right experience—whether that means a full “cut-your-own” farm day, a quick in-city lot stop, or having experts help you choose the perfect shape and size for your home. Jennifer Young Homes put this guide together to highlight some favorite local options plus practical tips to get your tree looking (and lasting) its best all season long.

How to Choose Your Tree

The most common real Christmas tree types in the DMV are Fraser fir, Douglas fir, Canaan fir, balsam fir, blue spruce, Norway spruce, white pine, and Scotch pine, each with different strengths. Fraser and Canaan firs hold needles well and have that classic Christmas scent, while Douglas firs are softer to the touch and great for families with young kids. Spruces (like blue and Norway) have beautiful color and strong branches for heavy ornaments but sharper needles, and pines (white and Scotch) offer long, soft needles and a slightly more relaxed, airy look.

When choosing, think through:

• Space: Measure ceiling height and width; most farms and lots stock trees from tabletop size up to 10–12 feet. 
• Lifestyle: If the tree will be near a heat vent or you tend to forget watering, prioritize Fraser, Canaan, or Douglas fir for better needle retention.
• Decorating style: Heavy ornaments do best on spruce or fir with strong branches, while simple lights and lighter decor work on softer-needled Douglas fir or white pine.

DC: In-Town Tree Lots

Dan & Bryan Christmas Trees (Multiple DC/MD Lots)

Dan & Bryan Christmas Trees (formerly Sundback Trees) operates multiple fresh-cut tree lots that have served DC and Maryland families for decades, even supplying trees to notable local figures and the White House in past years.

• Name: Dan & Bryan Christmas Trees 
• Website: https://www.danandbryantrees.comdanandbryantrees​
• Locations & details: Seasonal lots in Washington, DC and Chevy Chase, MD (exact addresses and hours listed on their site), all opening the Saturday after Thanksgiving. These lots specialize in fresh-cut trees and are known for well-shaped, premium stock.​
• Typical tree types: Douglas fir and Fraser fir in a wide range of heights, with sturdy branches and classic fragrance.
• Best for: Shoppers who want a high-quality pre-cut tree without the drive to a farm, plus guidance on selecting the best shape and size for formal living rooms or front windows.​

The Salt Line Christmas Tree Lot (Navy Yard, DC)

The Salt Line, a popular waterfront restaurant at The Yards, hosts a seasonal tree lot where sales support the DC Firefighters Burn Foundation, blending holiday decorating with local philanthropy.

• Name: Christmas Tree Lot at The Salt Line 
• Website: https://www.thesaltline.com (tree lot details via Capitol Riverfront event listing)
• Location & details: Outside The Salt Line in the Capitol Riverfront/Navy Yard area, offering trees from tabletop size up to about 12 feet, typically open from late November until inventory sells out.​
• Typical tree types: Fraser and balsam firs, known for strong fragrance and good needle retention, with dense, symmetrical shapes that photograph beautifully.
• Best for: Navy Yard and Capitol Riverfront residents who want a quick pick-up, enjoy grabbing a festive drink, and like supporting a local cause while tree shopping.

Northern Virginia: Farm-Day Experiences

Moose Apple Christmas Tree Farm (Berryville, VA)

Moose Apple Christmas Tree Farm is a destination-style choose-and-cut farm with 33 acres and roughly 25,000 trees, offering a scenic Blue Ridge setting and a full holiday outing about an hour from DC.

• Name: Moose Apple Christmas Tree Farm 
• Website: https://www.mooseapplechristmastreefarm.com (linked from regional farm guides)
• Location & details: 2425 Wickliffe Rd, Berryville, VA; plan on a bit of walking across rolling hills, plus time for photos, hot drinks, and browsing handmade holiday items.
• Typical tree types: Seven varieties, including popular Fraser, Canaan, and Douglas firs, along with spruces and pines, providing options for everything from small children’s rooms to grand two-story foyers.
• Best for: Families who want the full “Hallmark movie” cut-your-own experience, with plenty of trees to choose from and strong, fresh branches for heavier ornaments and lights.

Country Loving Christmas Tree Farm (Leesburg, VA)

Country Loving Farm in Leesburg offers a classic Loudoun County countryside setting, where you can cut your own tree and enjoy hot cider and picnic areas while you plan your holiday décor.

• Name: Country Loving Christmas Tree Farm 
• Website: https://www.countrylovingfarm.comwineandcountrylife​
• Location & details: Near Leesburg, VA, with picnic spots and views that make the trip part of your holiday tradition. The farm focuses on a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere more than a high-volume operation.
• Typical tree types: White pine, Scotch pine, and Norway spruce, offering both softer-needled trees and more structured shapes for formal spaces.
• Best for: Families who want a quieter, more low-key farm day and prefer pines or spruces for a distinctive look and strong branches for heirloom ornaments.

Milltown Creek Tree Farms (Lovettsville, VA)

Milltown Creek Tree Farms in Lovettsville features 100 acres of fields and a large variety of tree species, plus complimentary hot cider, wagons, and free baling that make the practical side of tree shopping easier.

• Name: Milltown Creek Tree Farms 
• Website: https://www.milltowncreektreefarms.com (linked via regional farm directories)wineandcountrylife​
• Location & details: Lovettsville, VA; choose-and-cut with provided saws, wagons, photo spots, and weekend treats like hot cider.
• Typical tree types: Blue, white, and Meyer spruce; Douglas and concolor fir; Scotch and white pine, giving you one of the broadest selections in the region.​
• Best for: Shoppers who want a particular species or shape (for example, blue spruce color or very tall concolor fir) and appreciate a full-service experience with baling, twine, and easy loading.​

Maryland: Cut-Your-Own Favorites

Dreamland Christmas Tree Farm (Middletown, MD)

Dreamland Christmas Tree Farm offers sweeping mountain views and a mix of cut-your-own and pre-cut trees, with extended evening hours on some days so families can visit after work.

• Name: Dreamland Christmas Tree Farm 
• Website: https://www.dreamlandchristmastreefarm.comdctravelmag​
• Location & details: 2700 Sumantown Rd., Middletown, MD; typically opens the Friday after Thanksgiving with weekend and select evening hours through mid-December.
• Typical tree types: Douglas fir, concolor fir, blue spruce, Norway spruce, and Canaan fir, providing both classic firs and more unique concolor and blue spruce options.​
• Best for: Families willing to drive a bit farther for a farm with great views and varied species, ideal if you are particular about branch strength or a specific color/taper.

Gaver Farm (Mt. Airy, MD)

Gaver Farm is a large, multi-purpose farm that offers 60+ acres of choose-and-cut fields plus a market and bakery, making it easy to turn tree day into a full outing with treats and gift shopping.​

• Name: Gaver Farm 
• Website: https://www.gaverfarm.comtrees​
• Location & details: Near Mt. Airy, MD; open daily from the day after Thanksgiving while supplies last, with free shaking, baling, and even drilling for some tree stands.​
• Typical tree types: Spruce, fir, and white pine in sizes up to about 6 feet in the fields, plus a selection of fresh pre-cut trees for those who prefer to pick quickly.​
• Best for: Families who like extras (baked goods, jams, décor) and appreciate services like shaking and baling that help keep needles out of the car and living room.​

Home Prep & Tree Care Tips

Before heading out, measure your ceiling height and subtract 6–12 inches to allow room for a stand and tree topper, and note the maximum width the room can handle to avoid an oversized tree crowding your living space. At the lot or farm, look for trees with vibrant color, flexible needles that don’t snap when bent, and only a small number of needles falling off when you run your hand along a branch.

Once home, make a fresh cut across the base—about 0.5–1 inch—before placing the tree in water, and aim to get it into a stand filled with water within an hour so sap does not seal over the cut. Choose a sturdy stand that holds at least a quart of water per inch of trunk diameter, keep the stand topped off daily, and place the tree away from direct heat sources and direct sun to extend needle life.

Festive Tree Hunting Awaits!

At Jennifer Young Homes, the holidays are all about creating spaces where memories feel at home, whether that’s a towering spruce in a two-story foyer or a modest fir in a cozy condo living room. This season, enjoy exploring these DMV farms and lots, find the tree that fits your family and your space, and if a new home is on your wish list for the coming year, Jennifer Young Homes is ready to help you find the perfect backdrop for many Christmas trees to come.