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COLUMBIA, MD — If you’re planning to put up a live Christmas tree this year, it’s a good idea to scope out what will be available from Howard County area tree growers.

There are more than 16,000 Christmas tree farms in the United States, stretching over 292,050 acres, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Larger tree farms control about 75 percent of the supply, but if you’re interested in supporting a local business this holiday season, here are some places to chop or pick out a tree within driving distance of Columbia:

Recent data from the American Christmas Tree Association’s 2024 Consumer Report shows 99 percent of survey respondents intend to display at least one Christmas tree in their homes this year, and among them, 22 percent will opt for a live tree.

According to PickYourOwnChristmasTree, real trees will cost about $13 a foot, depending on the type of tree. At that cost, a typical 7-foot tree would cost about $90.

Years of extreme weather — drought conditions in some parts of the country and excess moisture in others — have affected Christmas tree farms.

This year, attention is focused on the Northeast, where tree farmers are struggling under severe drought conditions that are killing off young trees and could cause future shortages.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, about a fourth of the region was in severe to extreme drought, which hits young trees especially hard. It typically takes a tree seven or eight years to grow to the desirable height for decorating.

“Christmas tree farms in the Northeast have, unfortunately, been hit with drought conditions that will impact the crop for several years to come,” American Christmas Tree Association executive director Jami Warner told CNN.

“While consumers will be able to find their Christmas trees this season, some growers in the Northeast will not be able to harvest as many trees as they have in past non-drought years,” Warner said.

The Howard County Council has approved legislation providing financing to buy land and work up a design for the proposed Central Branch.

COLUMBIA, MD — Plans for a new library in downtown Columbia will move ahead after the Howard County Council approved legislation that provides for the planning and design of the central branch.

The passage of CB69-2025 enables the county to begin using previously allocated, restricted state grant funding for the design of the new central library branch. Howard County Executive Calvin Ball now will start negotiations to purchase land at Columbia Lakefront for the new branch's site this spring.

The existing Central Library was designed in 1978 and opened in 1981. At approximately 50,000 square feet in size, the Central Library is no longer the largest library in the county and is undersized to meet the service demands and growing population, particularly as the flagship central branch of Howard County Library System, officials have stated.

The County Council also approved legislation that allows Howard County to obtain land in the Merriweather District to build affordable housing in accordance with the Downtown Columbia Development Rights and Responsibilities Agreement.

The Merriweather District site will provide more than 120 mixed-income housing units, of which half would be affordable. Once the new central library branch is built , the existing Central Library will be demolished and the site will be used for additional mixed-income housing units per the DRRA. The existing library site is expected to create approximately 200 mixed-income housing units, of which half would be affordable. Together, these two sites are expected to provide more than 320 mixed-income housing units.

“Today, Columbia stands out as one of America’s greatest success stories. Downtown Columbia continues to grow as a vibrant and inclusive community that reflects Jim Rouse’s original vision of a ‘garden for growing people,’” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball at a news conference. “Together, we are taking bold steps to make that vision a reality by ensuring that every child has access to a world-class education, every resident has the opportunity to thrive and every neighbor can find a place to call home. With new progress on affordable housing and a much-needed Central Branch at the Columbia Lakefront, we are building a downtown that embodies innovation, connection and opportunity for all.”

Jacqueline West-Spencer, board chair of the Howard County Housing Commission, said the inclusion of 900 affordable homes in the Columbia Downtown Housing Plan was a "major step forward" for the redevelopment of Columbia.

The creation of a Lakefront Library, which allows the Merriweather site to be fully dedicated to much-needed mixed-income housing, represents another significant milestone," West-Spencer said.

Christiana Rigby, County Council vice chair, said a new central library branch "renews Columbia’s legacy as a place where innovation and inclusion go hand in hand, while advancing long-awaited plans for new affordable housing in the Merriweather District.”

Eleven years ago, I left Nashville's music industry scene for a suburb just outside Columbia, MD. At the time, I thought trading one community for another would be simple — the stability of suburban life between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, and only a few hours from New York City, perfect for a new stage in my life.

But years later, I still haven't found my close friends here. As a native Nashvillian, I recognized familiar faces everywhere I went, but I haven't landed there quite yet in Columbia.

Over time, though, Columbia has surprised me. What started as a practical move has become a reminder that a slower rhythm doesn't mean a lesser song.

I cherish having access to water

I didn't realize how water-deprived I was until I moved to Maryland. Weekends bring calm inspiration: paddles slicing through the Chesapeake Bay, Osprey nests in the distance, and the simple joy of pulling up a crab cage filled with bright blue claws, ready to devour in the most satisfying breakfast.

And when I want something livelier, the Atlantic Ocean is just a day trip away, with boardwalks and beach fries. That quintessential Maryland mix of salt air and summer joy reminds me that inspiration comes from stillness.

Columbia is no Nashville, and that's partly the beauty in it. There's no Broadway-style bar crawl, no residents grumbling about pink cowboy hats and neon honkey-tonks. Here, the balance between tourism and daily life still holds.

In fact, Columbia ranked #1 best city for women in 2025 and #8 safest city in the US in 2025.

The beauty is in the balance between tourism and residential stability. Merriweather Post Pavilion sits at the center of it all, a venue that's hosted major artists for decades, from Joni Mitchell to The Grateful Dead.

Now, new Artist Lofts are underway in Columbia. Summer brings a steady stream of music with a concert season that fills the area with national talent but fades back into calm come fall. I've loved seeing artists like Alanis Morrisette, Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, and Shania Twain perform just minutes from home.

While Columbia may be known more for its proximity to the science, technology, and government sectors than the arts, creativity has quietly found its place here. My daughters found the space to create films that toured festivals, even earning a waiver to Sundance. Later, they launched a small environmental film festival with a grant from Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots Foundation. We're also a short trip from New York City, where we enjoy catching live theater shows.

It's a great place to raise kids

In Nashville, I grew up knowing every downtown venue by heart. My teen years were spent chasing live shows, from 3rd and Lindsley to the Ryman Auditorium. But here, my kids' lives are more structured, focused on academics and competitive sports. They're grounded, attuned to a routine that doesn't involve who's on stage tonight.

Maryland's schools are rigorous, and the expectations are high. Unfortunately, the arts sometimes take a backseat, but there's a steadiness in that structure, and I've come to appreciate it.

I miss the creative heartbeat of Nashville, the morning runs through Centennial Park, the feeling that everyone you met had a story to tell or a song to share. I miss the crowd outside the riverfront on a warm summer's night, the magnetic draw of a city that celebrates inspiration.

Columbia is quieter and at times, feels like a hub more for scientists and policy makers than poets and guitarists. But it's also safe, balanced, and full of small joys: the water, the concerts, the community that shows up for each other.

I still miss Nashville, but Columbia has brought a rhythm that's calmer, steadier, and no less meaningful. Sometimes the trade-off between creativity and peace isn't about focusing on loss, but realizing what you've gained in return.