Forest of Savings : * Phil Lee Nurseries in Moorpark is moving its tree farm and offering big discounts.

Here’s a bargain-shopping trek to make on an especially sweet spring day. Trees at Phil Lee Nurseries in Moorpark have been dramatically discounted because the nursery is moving its tree farm from the 50 acres it is now leasing to land it recently purchased.

The owners would rather sell the trees than move them, so until they are out of trees, the sale is on. Trees in what they call 24-inch boxes (two-foot squares) are selling for $40 apiece although they go for $100 to $250 at retail nurseries around town. Trees in 36-inch boxes, which often retail for $400 to $700, are $175.

General manager Maureen Shea gave us a fast tour through the hilly tree forests. (Customers are driven to and from this massive area.) During the ride, she pointed out a row of about 100 stately Italian cypress trees, 18 to 20 feet tall; one man paid $99.95 apiece--Lee’s regular price--for all of them. At several nurseries in town, similar-size Italian cypress trees are $200 to $250 each.

In the $40 grouping of sale trees, you’ll find crape myrtle, juniper, jacaranda, sycamore, California pepper, poplar, pear, olive, bottlebrush and birch, among others.

Almost all the trees were full and shapely, bug-free and obviously healthy. A dazzling array of colors was added by the blooming trees (plum, pear and potato vine).

The trees are marked so the shopper can note the name, number and location. The delivery charge is $10 to $25 per tree (depending on the size) with a $35 minimum for the smaller $40 trees and $50 each for the larger $175 trees. If you plan to transport them yourself, Shea needs to be notified in advance so she can make sure she has enough help to move and load them.

A nice selection of roses, azaleas and smaller shrubs are not part of the sale, but the prices are excellent.

WHERE TO SHOP

What: Tree sale at Phil Lee Nurseries.

Location: 6005 Grimes Canyon Road, Moorpark.

Directions: Take Ventura Freeway west to the Moorpark Freeway; go north, exit at New Los Angeles Avenue. Head west on New Los Angeles, turn right on Grimes Canyon Road. Turn left at Phil Lee Nurseries sign. Follow road to entrance.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

Cards: MasterCard, Visa.

Call: (805) 529-6264.