Crab Basket Christmas Trees on the Eastern Shore

Bushel Basket Holiday trees in Grasonville, MD and throughout Delmarva…

Celebrating the Watermen of the Chesapeake Bay is series of non-traditional Christmas trees, three of which are located at the Fisherman’s Village complex, just east of Kent Island.

Crab Basket Christmas Tree in Grasonville MD
Crab Basket Christmas Tree at the Kent Narrows in Grasonville, MD. Note, please, that utility poles, wires vehicles and advertising signs have been “removed” from the original image.

Merry Crabby Christmas – Merry Crabness. This tree, along with two others are located at the Waterman’s Memorial in Grasonville, Queen Anne’s County, MD. Bushel Basket Trees are a common site on the Eastern Shore in several of the small water-oriented towns. Other sightings: Cambridge, Rock Hall, St. Michaels, Berlin (on the road to Assateague Island).
In Maine and other New England states they have lobster trap trees – similar but not the same as “From the Land of Pleasant Living on the Eastern Shore!”

three crab basket christmas trees near the Waterman's Memorial
Three Bushel Basket Christmas Trees in Graysonville, MD

We got started on this photo project because we saw a picture and then found this bit of description on a Facebook post: “These baskets are at fishermans inn in Grasonville , they also have a lot of meaning , mostly not all but a lot have our local waterman’s names and drawn pictures of their boats ect on them that worked on the water most of their lives its located at the watermans memorial , I think there is 3 trees this year” (by Commenter, Michael Timms)

three variations of the same crab basket holiday tree
Here are three popular variations of the crab-topped Crab Basket Holiday Tree featured above. They are (l to r) a simulated watercolor painting, a simulated charcoal drawing and the original photograph presentation.

Interesting items about the Crab Basket Holiday Trees

Each tree has a meaning and each basket has a meaning: history, celebration, honor, remembering and/or holiday spirit.

crab basket holiday trees on t-shirts
The watercolor rendition of the Crab Basket Tree looks great as a T-shirt design.
  1. 202 baskets were used to make the first tree that was erected in Kent Narrows in 2020.
  2. There was so much interest that two trees were created in 2022.
  3. Interest continued to grow – with three trees being constructed in 2023.
  4. Located at the Fisherman’s Village complex at the Kent Narrows (Kent Island Narrows), Grasonville, MD.
  5. Every painted basket has a “story” to honor and/or remember someone or may simply be to share the holiday spirit.
  6. There are “memorial baskets” to honor watermen who passed away in the previous year.
  7. Proceeds from project activities support local watermen and families in need.
  8. Basket painting was done by local citizens of all ages.
  9. Above is from the Kent Narrows, Maryland website.

Each tree has a meaning and each basket has a meaning. Themes might include history, celebration, honor, remembering someone and/or simply the joy of holiday spirit.

Here is a Bushel Basket Christmas Tree found near the town of Berlin, MD along Route 611.

crab backet christmas tree berlin md
Crab Bushel Basket Christmas Tree Near Assateague Island, MD
watermen's association crab basket tree sponsor sign
Watermen’s Association 2022 Crab Basket Tree sponsor sign.

These trees would not be possible without the support of generous sponsors. The sign thanking/acknowledging them, erected by the Queen Anne’s County Watermen’s Association, is located at the site.

The Sponsors listed are: Armin’s Garage Doors LLC, Bay Tree Service, Bayside Insurance Associates Inc, Clements Creek Ventures, Fishergate Graphic Design, Fisherman’s Inn & Crab Deck, Harris Crab House, Jennifer Norfolk–Coldwell Banker, Kent Island Rotary, Kent Narrows Development Foundation, Kentmorr Marina, Molly Maid, QAC Economic & Tourism Development, Queenstown Bank, R&D Electric, Rag Lady Inc, Ruth Brothers Portable Toilets, Shore Lumber & Millwork, Shore Septic, Shore Sign, Shore United Bank, TJ & Sherri Hunter, VFW Post 7464, and Wye River Marine. The sign is thanking … First Mate sponsors and all who purchased a basket. Thank you!

Christmas Lights

Of course a Christmas Tree need lights for viewing at night. These Crab Basket Trees are no exception.

crab basket christmas tree at night
The Crab Basket Christmas Tree is lighted at night.

Yes, you can purchase the wall art photographs in a variety of substrates as well as on Home Decor, Apparel and Other Items.

Link to: Bill’s Gallery with the Crab Basket Trees.


Link to: Bill’s Redbubble Shop with dozens of unique items, apparel and decor.

crab basket tree items available on redbubble
A sample of Crab Basket Tree Watercolor items available at Redbubble.

6 Replies to “Crab Basket Christmas Trees on the Eastern Shore”

  1. Reminds me of the local “Crab Trap Christmas Trees” that are popular in the “Down East” are of Coastal North Carolina. Those have been around for quite a few years. I can’t help but wonder if a visitor took the idea back to Maryland, changing it from traps to baskets. Nice article my friend.

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