22 Dec A Richmond Christmas Tradition Continues at Porter Boys Tree Lot

The Porter Boys Tree Lot is a family business that has sold Christmas trees from the same spot in Richmond every holiday season for more than 50 years.

Story and photos by Lylah Schmedel-Permanna

For 25 years, Lewis Porter, 60, has returned each December to the corner of 23rd Street and Andrade Avenue in Richmond, selling Christmas trees and keeping a family tradition alive. In a busy year, Porter clears about 2,000 trees. He’s unsure if he’ll sell that many this year.

Porter says that affordable trees are his gift to the community, and he’s accepted the risk of not making his money back.

The Porter Boys Tree Lot has served Richmond and the wider community in the same spot for the past 54 years, and they hope to reach 100. Lewis bought the business from his uncles two years ago, and his nephew River Porter, 27, is next in line to one day take over the lot.

“It’s important to me,” said River. “We call it generational love. We have families coming in down here for generations. People have been coming here their whole lives. It’s nice to see and continue those traditions.”

Despite the cold, crisp air that surrounds them on long days, Porter and his five nephews say they are happy to be there and a part of the local legacy. They work seven days a week, 12 hours a day during the Christmas season. They sell Douglas fir, noble fir and grand fir trees, which Porter sources by the truckload from Oregon. The Porter boys paint some of the trees with a white-frost through a process called flocking. When the white trees are aligned in the lot, it gives the impression of fresh, thick snowfall in Richmond, which of course never happens.

On a recent weekend evening, a small but steady flow of customers pondered the perfect tree to put gifts under. Porter wore a red hat with “Richmond” embroidered on it, his nose red too from the cold as he stood out front waiting to assist a new customer. His nephews do the same, taking on remedial tasks here and there. They stand among about 900 trees. Kids frolic excitedly among the trees, while parents contemplate the best one for their home.

The prices at the Porter Boys Tree Lot range from $38 to about $180 for their most expensive tree. Porter says he takes pride in doing his best to keep the trees affordable and not raising his prices over the past few years. And many customers this Christmas season are depending on affordability this Christmas season, especially as numerous economic and environmental pressures are forcing many tree sellers to raise their prices.

According to a recent CNBC survey, many Americans are feeling the impacts of inflation and tariffs on their wallets and are looking to reduce costs. Porter hopes that the quintessential Christmas tree is not where people look to cut costs, which he said motivates him to keep prices down.

Lower prices seem to bring customers in — like Richmond resident Kimberly Banks, who said she was referred to the location by a family member.

“Things are so expensive this Christmas, anywhere we can make savings is worth it,” Banks said.

Scott Broder, who lives in El Cerrito, said he stopped by after visiting the local Home Depot.

“The pickings were slim, and prices about double,” he said, comparing its selection to Porter’s. “I can’t keep up with this inflation. If this keeps going on, who knows what next Christmas will be like.”

But with inflation, the risk of not making his money back gets more daunting. In comparison with last year, sales are a bit lower, but he said it was too early to tell if he’ll break even. Still, he’s optimistic about the future.

“I’ve seen a lot of changes here. I’ve watched sales go up and down. Just the economy right now is hard,” Lewis said. “But we’ll be alright.”

He said that unused trees are donated to a local soapmaker who makes pine soap. Occasionally, he donates trees to families in need and to local women’s shelters. He’s also matched Christmas tree donations by the Richmond Police Department to families in need.

After 25 years at the lot, he said, “There’s no single [favorite] memory. I just like to make people happy. When people come here to get their tree and they’re so cheerful, there’s nothing like it.”

If You Go

Porter Boys Tree Lot
9 a.m.-9 p.m., 7 days a week (during Christmas season)
1030 23rd St., Richmond, CA 94804