State urges people to buy local Christmas trees

FRIENDSHIP, Md. - When picking a Christmas tree, most people think about how tall it is, how full it is or if the tree will fit into the house.   But, many local farmers want you to think about buying local.

The Maryland Department of the Agriculture says it helps local farmers. 

It can also help the environment.  Mark Powell from the Maryland Department of the Agriculture says "Just the simple fact that it's part of the tree canopy of the state and remove carbon dioxide from the air, far out ways the advantage of a metal tree that is typically shipped from China."

Picking out a Maryland tree is a tradition for the Price family.  Caitlin Price says, "I like picking one out instead of walking into a store." 

Darrell Dockery, the owner of Friendship Trees, loves watching families make an experience out of picking out a tree.

Dockery says, "When you buy it from a parking lot, you don't know how fresh it is."

Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states.