Raines Tree Farm: Ownership, History, and Current Options
No reliable current record in the available material identifies who owns Raines Tree Farm today or confirms that it is still operating as a public Christmas-tree farm. The name appears in reporting about a Gaston, Oregon, tree-farm owner who was the victim of a major financial fraud, but that history does not establish that the farm closed, changed hands, or remains open. Here is what is documented, what remains unverified, and how to find a current tree farm without relying on outdated listings.
Who Owns Raines Tree Farm Today
The current owner of Raines Tree Farm is not publicly verified by the reliable information available here.
A 2015 news report identified Raines as the owner of a successful Gaston tree farm. It did not provide later business details.
If you are trying to confirm ownership for a legal, property, or family-history reason, use current public records rather than a search-result summary:
- Search the business registry for the state where the farm was located, using the farm name and the owner’s surname.
- Check county property and deed records for the parcel associated with the farm.
- Look for a current phone number, website, or recent holiday-season announcement.
- Contact the county recorder or assessor if the property record is unclear.
A business registration can identify the company connected to a name, while a deed can identify recorded ownership of land. Neither one, by itself, proves that a Christmas-tree farm is open to customers.
What Happened to Raines Tree Farm
The documented story is primarily about fraud against Raines, not a documented shutdown of the tree farm.
In 2004, Rachel Lee befriended Raines after he visited her psychic-reading business. The relationship later became part of a financial fraud case involving Raines, his former wife, and members of her family.
Court proceedings described a scheme in which Raines lost a substantial portion of his assets through deception and financial exploitation. In 2015, the final defendant in the case received a two-year federal prison sentence, and the defendants were ordered to provide $2.6 million in restitution to Raines.
The available reporting describes Raines as the owner of a successful Gaston tree farm at the time. It does not establish that the tree farm itself committed wrongdoing.
That distinction matters. A news article about an owner’s personal financial case can remain prominent in search results long after the business information has become outdated.
How to Find a Current Tree Farm Instead
If your goal is to buy a real Christmas tree, start with a farm listing.
Use this guide to match your tree-buying plans with a seller type and the details to confirm before visiting.
| What You Need | Best Search Choice | What to Confirm Before You Go |
|---|---|---|
| A tree you cut yourself | A choose-and-cut farm | Tree availability, cutting rules, hours, and payment methods |
| A fresh tree without field cutting | A farm or tree lot selling pre-cut trees | Species, sizes available, delivery or loading help, and closing time |
| A family outing | A farm advertising activities | Whether hayrides, Santa visits, pets, food, or gift shops are operating that day |
| A potted or living tree | A grower offering potted trees | Species, container size, pickup date, and whether the tree is suitable for your yard |
Step 1: Decide Whether You Want a Cut-Your-Own or Pre-Cut Tree
Choose a cut-your-own farm if selecting the tree in the field is part of the experience and you are prepared for uneven ground, stumps, mud, and outdoor weather.
Choose a pre-cut tree if you need a faster stop, want a tree already harvested, or do not want to handle cutting and hauling it from the field. Some farms offer both options, but availability can change quickly during the holiday season.
Step 2: Search a Current Tree-Farm Locator
Use a current real-tree locator or your state agriculture department’s farm directory. On a locator with service filters, select “Choose and Cut Tree Farms” when you want to harvest your own tree; select pre-cut options when you do not.
For Florida searches, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services maintains a Christmas-tree farm locator that includes growers offering choose-and-cut trees, pre-cut trees, potted trees, and seasonal activities.
Search the locator, then check the information for each farm. A farm may appear online because it was open in a previous season.
Step 3: Call Before You Leave Home
Call the farm on the day you plan to visit. Ask these direct questions:
- Are you open to the public today?
- Do you still have the type and height of tree I want?
- Is cut-your-own available today, or are only pre-cut trees left?
- Do I need to bring a saw, gloves, cash, or tie-down straps?
- Are pets, hayrides, Santa visits, or other advertised activities available today?
- What is the last entry time for field cutting?
Late in the season, field access may end even when trees remain.
Step 4: Choose a Fresh Tree at the Farm
Wear shoes that handle uneven ground and dress for field conditions. Farms are working landscapes, not landscaped retail lots.
When choosing a freshly cut tree, look for resilient needles, a healthy green color, and a pleasant natural fragrance. Check that the trunk will fit your stand before taking the tree home. A tree that is too large for the room can be difficult to water.
Florida farms grow several Christmas-tree species suited to the state, including red cedar, Virginia pine, sand pine, spruce pine, and Leyland cypress. The best choice depends on what the particular grower has available that season.
Step 5: Set Up the Tree and Keep It Watered
Bring the tree home promptly and place it in a stand with a good water-holding capacity. Add water through the base of the trunk so the tree stays moist indoors.
Keeping the tree supplied with water also reduces the risk associated with a dried-out tree in the home.
Finish the setup by making sure the stand is stable, the tree is clear of heat sources, and the water reservoir remains accessible for refilling.
How to Verify Whether a Farm Is Still Open
Look for evidence from the current season:
- A dated post announcing opening day, tree availability, or closing day
- A working phone number answered by the farm or its current operator
- Updated directions and hours in a current listing
- Recent customer notices that match the farm’s own contact information
- A current website or social-media account with the same location and phone number
Why Older Raines Tree Farm Results Can Be Confusing
Search results often combine several kinds of information under one business name:
- Historical reporting about an owner
- A former farm address
- A business name that may no longer be active
- Unverified pages repeating one another’s ownership claims
The Raines story is particularly easy to misunderstand because the fraud case is well documented, while a later public record of the farm’s operation is not included in the available information.
That does not prove the farm is gone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Raines Tree Farm today?
No current owner is verified by the reliable information available here. Historical reporting identified Raines as the owner of a Gaston, Oregon, tree farm in 2015, but it did not document a later owner, sale, or active farm operator.
What happened to Raines Tree Farm?
The documented event was a financial fraud case involving the farm’s owner, not a documented closure of the farm. The relationship connected to the case began in 2004, and the final defendant was sentenced in 2015; the reporting does not confirm what happened to the farm business afterward.
Is Raines Tree Farm still open?
Raines Tree Farm’s current public operating status is unconfirmed. There is no dependable current-season schedule, verified contact information, or reliable public listing in the available material showing that customers can visit or buy trees there.
How do I find a cut-your-own Christmas-tree farm?
Use a current tree-farm locator and select “Choose and Cut Tree Farms” in the service filters. Then call the farm the day you plan to go to confirm field access, tree availability, hours, and any equipment you need to bring.
Can Florida growers sell locally grown Christmas trees?
Yes. Florida growers produce red cedar, Virginia pine, sand pine, spruce pine, and Leyland cypress for Christmas trees. Call ahead to confirm availability, dates, and hours.