Port Republic · Maryland
Hidden Lake Christmas Tree Farm
A Santerre family farm in Calvert County with a cut-your-own Norway spruce field, hand-picked pre-cut firs, a Cocoa Cabin and a red barn.
At a glance
Your tree visit.
- Tree choices
- Cut your own · Pre-cut trees
- Visit times
Opening weekend Friday–Sunday, November 27–29, then Fridays to Sundays 9am–5pm until Christmas or sold out. Santa visits Saturday, December 5.
Full schedule ↓
Find your tree
Choose your Christmas tree.
Hidden Lake sells trees two ways. About three acres of cut-your-own trees are Norway spruce, with white pine also listed; the farm says its spruce and white pine start at 7 feet and up. Alongside the field, a large selection of pre-cut trees is hand-selected by the farm from farms in New York, Pennsylvania and North Carolina: Fraser, balsam and Canaan fir in sizes from 6 to 13 feet. The Maryland Christmas Tree Association lists more than 175 pre-cuts on display at a time.
Calvert County’s listing describes the pre-cut range as 3 to 12 feet, a slightly different range from the farm’s own 6 to 13 feet, so ask about the size you need if it falls at either end.
No tree prices are posted on the farm’s website or in the listings that describe it. The farm’s FAQ has a “What are the prices?” question whose answer lists only the varieties and sizes, so plan to confirm the price for the tree you choose before it is cut.
Published varieties
- Norway spruce
- White pine
- Fraser fir (pre-cut)
- Balsam fir (pre-cut)
- Canaan fir (pre-cut)
Which variety suits your decorations?
General tree guidance; the farm’s selection, sizes and services are described above.
- Fraser fir
- Upward branches and good needle retention; firmer branches can suit heavier ornaments.
- Balsam fir
- A notably fragrant choice with soft needles.
- Canaan fir
- Dark green needles with white undersides and firmer branches for decorations.
- White pine
- Long, soft needles and flexible branches; choose lighter decorations.
Learn more: University of Wisconsin Extension ↗ · National Christmas Tree Association ↗
Cut-your-own and pre-cut at a glance
The two selling formats come from different places, and the sizes differ, so this table compares them.
| Format | What the farm publishes |
|---|---|
| Cut-your-own | Approximately three acres of Norway spruce, with white pine also listed; trees start at 7 feet and up. The farm provides saws and rope and bales the tree in netting. |
| Pre-cut | Fraser, balsam and Canaan fir, 6 to 13 feet, hand-picked from farms in New York, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. Calvert County lists pre-cuts from 3 to 12 feet. |
| Wreaths and garland | Handmade wreaths and garland, Christmas decor made at the farm, and farm apparel. Prices are not posted. |
| Payment | Cash or card. An older regional guide also lists checks. |
Saws, netting and getting the tree home
The farm provides hand saws; its FAQ’s wording on visitors’ own saws is unclear, so plan on using the farm’s saws and leave power tools at home. The farm bales the tree in netting and provides the rope for tying it to your car, and the Maryland Christmas Tree Association says shaking and baling are included with the purchase of a tree.
The farm suggests measuring your space first and bringing a car with roof racks. It asks visitors to bring nothing except their holiday cheer. Leashed dogs are welcome; owners must pick up after them, including in the field.
Cocoa Cabin, donuts and the farm shop
Calvert County’s listing highlights the farm’s Cocoa Cabin for a warm drink and fresh, warm donuts from the Madbyrd Confections donut truck. The farm’s Facebook page lists hot cocoa, coffee, apple cider and kettle corn at the Cocoa Cabin, and the Maryland Christmas Tree Association lists hot chocolate, coffee, warm cider and specialty drinks for purchase; drink prices and the days the donut truck is on site are not posted.
The county listing and the association mention sweatshirts, hats, tree stands, wreath hangers, lights, watering spouts and more for purchase, with handmade wreaths, garland and farm apparel. The farm’s Facebook page adds farm mugs, merchandise, candles, kissing balls and table-top trees.
Santa at the farm on Saturday, December 5
The farm announced on Facebook that Santa will visit on Saturday, December 5. The farm is open from 9am to 5pm, Santa stops by from 10am to 2pm, and admission is free for the whole family. The farm’s list of offerings for the day: fresh-cut real Christmas trees; hot cocoa, coffee, apple cider and kettle corn at the Cocoa Cabin; farm mugs, merchandise, candles, wreaths, kissing balls, table-top trees and garland; and a chance to meet Santa and take your own holiday photos. No professional photography is provided, so bring a camera.
The farm asks guests to RSVP to its Facebook event for the day. Because Hidden Lake does not allow photography sessions in its selling season, the photos on Santa day are your own.
Photography and the red barn
The farm does not allow photography sessions during its tree-selling season. It describes a separate photographer season in October and early November, when photographers offer Christmas mini sessions and shoots; no dates, prices or booking details are published, and the farm’s online booking page says there is nothing to book at the moment.
Chuck Santerre began planting trees on the farm about two decades ago, and the family has sold them for more than a decade, moving from a pop-up tent to hundreds of trees sold from the family’s red barn. Chuck and Mary Santerre, their six children and their families work the farm.
Pick your day
Dates & hours.
Tree season: Opening weekend November 27–29, then Fridays to Sundays until Christmas or sold out
The farm sells Fridays to Sundays, 9am–5pm, until Christmas or sold out. It posts no closing date or last-cut time.
| Selling weekends | Hours |
|---|---|
| Opening weekend, Friday–Sunday, November 27–29 | 9am–5pm |
| Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays after opening weekend | 9am–5pm |
| Santa day, Saturday, December 5 | Farm open 9am–5pm; Santa visits 10am–2pm; admission is free |
| Monday–Thursday | Not part of the posted Friday–Sunday pattern |
| End of season | Until Christmas or sold out; no closing date is posted |
The farm’s home page still carries a notice that the previous season has closed; the county’s current listing and the farm’s own hours describe the coming season.
Before you go.
- Open Friday through Sunday only, 9am–5pm.
- Tree and wreath prices are not posted; confirm them before you cut or buy.
- Use the farm’s hand saws; power tools are not allowed.
- Dogs must stay on a leash, and owners pick up after them.
- Photography sessions are not allowed during the tree-selling season.
- The farm’s email is hiddenlakefarmmd@gmail.com.
- Santa visits on Saturday, December 5, from 10am to 2pm, with free admission.
3480 Crane Road, Port Republic, MD 20676
Keep exploring
Other farms to compare.
Oakland, Maryland
Woodlake Tree FarmA Garrett County farm near Deep Creek Lake with limited choose-and-cut trees from 6 to 14 feet, fresh pre-cuts and a barn Christmas shop.
Hagerstown, Maryland
Good Spirits Christmas Tree FarmA Washington County tree forest with five species up to 20 feet, cash prices by species, free shaking, baling and drilling, and a Warm-Up Shed.
Mount Airy, Maryland
Gaver FarmA Frederick County farm on more than 60 acres: cut-your-own trees from $65, free carts, saws, baling and hayrides, a Wreath Shop and Christmas Café. No tickets needed.