WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I GET TO THE FARM?                                                                                           Farm Features                                                                                           Real Vs. Artificial

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I GET TO THE FARM? The entry/exit lane is quite narrow, so please drive slowly entering and exiting the farm! Please follow all signs and directional markers. During busy days, someone from our staff will greet you and show you a place to park. If you have special needs concerns or concerns, please let them know and they will do their best to accommodate you. A greeter will provide you with a hand saw, and can assist you in where to find the "perfect tree" or show you where the pre-cut trees are located. Remember, the field where you found the perfect tree 2 years ago is probably a good 2-3 feet taller, or that field maybe completely gone! Check with our staff to find out where the newest "hot spot" is. After you've found and cut your tree, you can use a tree wagon or you can carry or drag it up to the barn. If you need help cutting or transporting your tree, please ask and we'll accommodate you. Once your tree is at the barn, our staff will tag it after it is shaken (to remove dead needles) and baled (for easy handling). You'll receive a matching tag number and asked to go into the barn to pay and get a receipt. Our cashiers are located inside our "Barn." Not only can you pay for your tree, you can warm up with some complimentary warm spiced apple cider near the wood stove, check out our wreaths (decorated and undecorated) and pine roping in our new climate controlled wreath room, check out our handcrafted Christmas crafts and see the pelt of the beaver that used to roam the farm. Once you have a receipt and your tree tag, one of our crew will match the tag numbers, and assist you in getting your tree to your vehicle and loaded. (Due to insurance regulations, we cannot tie trees to vehicles, but we do have plenty of complimentary twine to tie it down) View from barn roof Greeter Station at farm Back to the Top Farm Features Family Adventure on the weekends with Hay rides and train display Hay rides around the Farm on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. weather permitting. Groups may reserve a hayride between 1 & 2 p.m. by calling in advance at 410.758.0405. Benefit local charities with purchase of Holiday wreaths 100% of the net proceeds for the handcrafted and decorated Wreaths benefit Habitat for Humanity. Your purchase includes a tax deductible receipt from the non-profit organization. Win a Free Tree Promotion Our cashier will invite you to fill out an information form when you check out; we get you mailing information to notify you via mail of the hours for the next season, you might just be one of three families that win a win tree! Complimentary Refreshments, Coloring Books and Candy Canes The warm, spiced apple cider is delicious and actually is a mix you can purchase to make you own at home. Coloring books and candy canes for the children are a gift from us. Friendly referrals to Area Tree Farms Can't find the tree of your dreams at the Blue Heron Farm? Let us provide you with a list of contacts and directions to other growers within 25 minutes of our farm so your search for the perfect tree is a success. Or go to the Maryland Growers Website- www.marylandchristmastrees.org Back to the Top Real Vs Artificial "Real or plastic?" Consumers will be asking themselves that question this holiday season. In an age of environmental awareness it's appropriate to know a favorite family holiday tradition of choosing a real Christmas tree over an artificial tree is still the environmentally sound choice. Christmas tree farms stabilize soil, protect water supplies and provide refuge for wildlife while creating scenic green belts. Often, Christmas trees are grown on soils that could not support other crops. A benefit to the atmosphere, real Christmas trees absorb carbon dioxide and other gases, emitting fresh oxygen. This helps prevent the earth-warming "greenhouse effect." One acre of Christmas trees produces the daily oxygen requirement for 18 people. With approximately one million acres producing Christmas trees in the United States, that translates into oxygen for 18 million people every day. For every real Christmas tree harvested, three seedlings are planted in its place. Real Christmas trees are an all-American, recyclable resource. Artificial trees, most of which are manufactured outside the United States, consist of plastics and metals that aren't biodegradable. When disposed of, artificial trees will never deteriorate. Their effects on our environment are evident and will remain for countless generations. Consider these important facts... 1. Fake trees and wreaths are made from nonrenewable petroleum. REAL Christmas trees and wreaths do not harm our environment and our resources... they are produced as an agricultural crop. Each year Christmas tree growers replace cut trees with a new crop of seedlings. 2.When a fake tree catches fire, it puts dangerous toxic fumes into the air. A properly cared-for REAL Christmas tree will not catch fire easily. If and when it does, its fumes will certainly not be as toxic. 3. Fake trees cannot be recycled. When they are disposed of in a sanitary landfill, they will not disintegrate, but will remain there forever, taking up increasingly scarce landfill space. REAL trees are thus being used in various helpful ways when disposed of...such as ground-up mulch to replenish the soil. fish habitat and other useful methods. Over the years, the Christmas tree has come to symbolize the faith and hope of harmony among all mankind. This spirit is REAL and a REAL Christmas tree, when brought inside our homes, projects this feeling through its pleasant scent and natural warm beauty. Over 36 million Americans will enjoy a real Christmas tree this year, savoring the color and aroma festive mood only the real thing can evoke. More information, contest and games go to the National Christmas tree Association's website Back to the Top