Christmas Tree Shopping in Elkridge

Trees of all shapes and sizes stand ready for purchase on Old Waterloo Road at .

The market sells Scotch pines, white pines, Fraser firs and Douglas firs, ranging from tabletop-sized to 12-feet-tall.

According to manager Jake Franz, all the conifers come from , which is based on Race Road. The landscaping company's owner goes down to North Carolina every year and picks out hundreds of premium firs that he sells to a handful of places around the area, including Frank's.

 distinguishes itself with the quality of its products, according to management.

"We've got up the road selling 7-foot trees for $30," said Franz, whose same-sized trees may run a bit more (prices vary).

"But we buy premiums, and they buy economy," he said.

"Economy" is an industry term for trees that may lack branches/have holes in parts or display some other defects, according to Franz.

Premium trees are "healthy," "well-shaped" and "clean," according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Standards for the Grades of Christmas Trees.

Prices for Frank's trees, all of which are premium-grade, are as follows:

• $25–$85 for Fraser firs (tabletop-size to 9')
• $35 for Scotch pines and white pines (6')
• $35–$85 for Douglas firs (5' to 12') 

The store also sells tree stands, wreaths, door-hangers and other trimmings.

Last weekend,  sold 120 trees on Saturday, said Franz, and the store still has a large selection of freshly cut trees waiting for a home.

 is located at 6686 Old Waterloo Road. It is open daily from 8 a.m.–8 p.m. The store takes credit cards as well as cash.