Red Barn Tree Farm

Welcome to the Red Barn Tree Farm. We are glad you are taking a few minutes to read about the history of the farm. This farm was one of original farms in the area and owned by George Manning. The farm sits at the intersection of Soldiers Home Road and Manning Road, named after Mr. George Manning. Among Mr. Manning’s business ventures was a hauling business. He operated several teams of horses and wagons from the property in the late 1800s. As a teamster, Mr. Manning’s teams hauled gravel for the Centerville - Miamisburg Turnpike, now known as Ohio State Route 725.

The Morris Family purchased seventeen acres of the original thirty acres for the sole purpose of establishing a Christmas tree farm. At the time of purchase, the property had several buildings located on it. These included the main house, a large red barn, a smoke house (later salvaged for its lumber), a small butchering building, a machine shed, an old tobacco barn, and a two car detached garage with the traditional two hole out house in one corner. The old tobacco barn was later renovated into a residential living area, containing an office and a workshop. The old red barn contained a milking parlor for cows, two large haylofts, and had a small lean-to shed which we have replaced with the new portion, from which we now operate the yearly tree sales.

Our first Christmas trees were planted in 1988. During that first year, over 2500 seedling were planted on the farm. The spring and summer of 1988 were extremely dry and the seedlings quickly succumbed to the dry spring and summer months. Of the 2500 original seedling planted that year, less than 100 survived. The following year, those surviving trees were moved from their original planting area, to the property line planting on the east, south, and west side of the property. Then, the original field section was replanted. From 1990 to 1992, seedlings were planted on the remaining lots at the northern side of the farm. During these first years, all the plantings were done by hand; it was a "family and friends affair" taking place over a weekend.

Over the next four years from 1993 to 1996, the four sections on the southern side of the farm were planted. The final year for hand planting took place in 1993 due to its time consuming nature. In the spring of 1993, the family purchase a Christmas tree planter and reduced the time it took to plant 2000 seedlings from a weekend to just four hours. The tree planter also allowed us to perform contracted seedling plantings for cities and state governments, as well as private landowners. After the 1996 spring planting, there were 12,000 trees growing on the farm.

In 1997, the farm was opened for the first cutting. Of the original 2000 trees planted, plenty remained after that first year of sales to mature for the following year. With the size and number of mature trees increasing on the farm and the demand for quality nursery stock, our supplemental balled and burlap tree business developed. The years from 1996-1999 included more renovations to the business and buildings. The garage attached to the original farmhouse was used as not only the place of business, but also provide an area to get reacquainted with our customers from the previous year. The garage was emptied and the cars were replaced with picnic tables. Our traditional candy cane tree and steaming hot chocolate were set up. While adequate, the garage did not produce the family atmosphere and experience the Red Barn Tree Farm wanted to provide our customers. Therefore, in 2000, renovation on the old red barn began with addition of the new tree sales barn. Through the coming years we hope to complete renovation of the original barn and add a large stone fireplace for the comfort of our guests. However, for now, this addition is where you will find the candy cane tree, the hot chocolate, the picnic tables, the Christmas music, and our cheerful staff. We welcome you to visit our family tree farm and hope you will sit and talk for a spell, as you warm yourself with a steaming cup of hot chocolate and view the collection of old snow sleds on display. The sleds may bring back some of those childhood memories from a simpler time.


Merry Christmas to all from the Morris Family and the Red Barn Tree Farm!