Our History

Melvin Surface, Founder

Richard Melvin Surface

Melvin Surface, together with his wife Dona, bought 14 acres of prime nursery property in Gresham Oregon near “Twelve Mile Corner”. Back then, horses were still used to prepare the ground for planting and bring in crops from the fields. Richard Surface was born to Melvin on the original nursery site. In 1976 Richard bought the nursery from his father and continued to expand the business to 400 acres in East Gresham. Melvin remained actively involved with the nursery until he passed away in July 1991 and Richard ran the business until his passing in 2009. After 98 years, the nursery continues to be family owned and operated. Many long-time employees keep the quality of the Surface name intact with the wisdom Richard bestowed upon them.