The allure of heading into the forest to cut down their own Christmas tree is a cherished experience that delights countless North State families year after year.
That doesn’t stop many people from shopping for the perfect yule tree right in town, at one of the tree sale lots that pop up across the Redding area around the holidays. Many are family-run establishments that open around Thanksgiving, if they’re not open a few days before then.
Here are some of the popular spots to find that perfect tree.
Barone’s Christmas Trees
The family-run Barone’s Christmas Trees lot in Redding on Cypress Avenue will be opening on Nov. 28 and always expects a busy weekend crush.
“We just cut ours yesterday, so they’re nice and fresh,” said Stan Barone Sr. on Nov. 24.
He runs the lot with his son Stan Barone Jr., a teacher at Parsons Junior High School in Redding and daughter-in-law Lisa Barone, a teacher at Evergreen Elementary School in Cottonwood. The two daughters of the younger Barone also help at the seasonal family tree operation.
The lot carries more than 100 trees, including Noble, Nordmann and Douglas fir trees from northern Oregon and Silvertip fir trees grown at high elevations in the Sierra Nevada.
Last season, some of the tallest, most impressive trees on the lot were earmarked for businesses including the Sheraton Redding Hotel at the Sundial Bridge and Simpson College, said Stan Barone Sr., who runs the business day-to-day.
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The younger Stan Barone said his grandfather started the family’s Christmas tree venture in 1953, selling about 20 or 30 trees each holiday season from in front of his Sunnyside Market store in San Jose. The family relocated to the Redding area in 2005.
As chain stores have begun selling real Christmas trees and more buyers opt for artificial trees, the younger Stan Barone said the family’s tree lot lost money during the holidays in 2023.
But the Barones still enjoy being part of the annual Christmas experience for so many families, including some of their former students, he said.
People come to their tree lot not just to buy holiday trees, said the younger Stan Barone, but to take festive family photos and make s’mores around the fire pit. The lot’s owners said they give away candy canes and coloring books to children. And they try to donate trees to needy families, he said.
“It’s hard to keep a family business alive” when many big box stores are selling Christmas trees, he said, “but we’re trying.”
Besides, he said, “I love it. It’s fun. You are part of someone’s tradition, which is cool. It’s people’s tradition, so how can you not do it?”
Colley Tree Farm
Meanwhile, near Mt. Shasta Mall, Raleigh Foster said they’d already sold plenty of tree since the family-owned tree lot, Colley Tree Farm, opened on Friday, Nov. 21, for the Christmas holiday season.
“Come on down and enjoy a family-friendly atmosphere and make Colley Tree Farm a part of your holiday tradition!” the holiday retailers says on its Facebook page.
Now in its 34th year, the Colley Tree Farm also sells wreaths, garland and Christmas tree ornaments, Foster said.
“We work hard all year growing and taking care of Christmas trees to delight our customers! All of our trees are grown on tree plantations in Oregon and never cut from the wild,” the company says on its webpage.
Here is more about some of the retailers operating Christmas tree lots this season.
Where to buy Christmas trees in Redding, Shasta County
Barone’s Christmas Trees: 2005 Churn Creek Road, Redding. 530-410-3295. Prices range from $25 for a tabletop-sized tree to $200 for a 9-foot-tall Noble fir.
Colley’s Trees: 1301 Hilltop Drive, Redding, in front of Macy’s at Mt. Shasta Mall. 541-954-0661. Tabletop trees about 2 -to 3-feet tall cost $35, while a 15 foot-tall tree is $500.
Simonis Quality Christmas Trees: 2601 Churn Creek Road, Redding. No opening date, operating hours or pricing information available at press time.
Save Mart: 4631 Churn Creek Road, Redding. 530-638-8390. Prices range from $35.99 for a tabletop tree that’s between 3-4 tall to $99.99 for a Noble fir that is 7-8 feet tall.
Food Maxx: 1330 Churn Creek Road, Redding. 530-222-6740. Prices range from $33.99 for a Noble fir that’s 3-4 feet tall to $89.99 for a Noble fir that’s 7-8 feet tall.
Home Depot: 1200 Churn Creek Road, Redding. 530-222-1313. Tree prices start at $44.98 for a 5-6 foot tall Douglas fir and rise to $99.98 for an 7-8 foot Noble fir.
Lowe’s: 1200 E Cypress Ave., Redding, 530-351-0181. Trees range in size, variety and price, from $40-$50 for a tabletop Frasier fir to $140 for a 6-7 foot Douglas fir.
Shasta College: 11555 Old Oregon Trail at the Shasta College Farm, 530-242-2209. Open only Dec. 6-7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Use the south entrance and head to the Sycamore parking lot. Variety of tree species and sizes, as well as a craft fair at the site and free coffee and hot chocolate for shoppers. Costs vary by tree variety and height.First responders and members of the military get $5 off their tree purchase. Anyone bringing six canned food items to be donated to the Good News Rescue Mission will receive $3 off one tree. All sales benefit Shasta College Agriculture Leadership students.
Christmas Carole’s Tree Land/Shasta District Fair Grounds: 1890 Briggs St., Anderson. Grand opening weekend takes place Nov. 28-30 from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. 530-378-7077. Information will also be available on their Facebook page.
Michele Chandler covers dining, food, public safety and whatever else comes up for the Redding Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. Accepts story tips at 530-338-7753 and at mrchandler@gannett.com. Please support our entire newsroom’s commitment to public service journalism by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Oh Redding Christmas tree lots, where are you? Compare prices
Reporting by Michele Chandler, Redding Record Searchlight / Redding Record Searchlight
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