With the joyous season of Christmas approaching, the spirit of hope and resilience is blooming across North Carolina, particularly for the Christmas tree farms still recovering from the devastation brought by Hurricane Helene. This year's festive cheer has taken on special significance, bolstered by the remarkable recovery efforts of local farmers.
Many of these farms, including Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm, are working diligently to bounce back after the hurricane’s wrath left its mark on their crops. This year, the Cartner family made headlines when they were chosen to supply the White House Christmas tree, marking the 16th time North Carolina has had this honor. The tree selected was honored and named "Treemendous," symbolizing strength and hope against adversity.
Sam Cartner, the owner of Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm located in Newland, expressed the pride and responsibility he feels for representing both his family and the broader community. "We are honored to have the opportunity to represent the Christmas tree growers of America by providing a farm-grown Christmas tree to the White House Blue Room, which will be viewed by millions of people," he remarked.
The North Carolina Christmas Tree Association reported significant losses, estimating thousands of trees damaged or destroyed during the storm. Yet, the resilience of farmers and the demand for North Carolina-grown Christmas trees remain strong. Current projections indicate no nationwide shortages, as trees are still being distributed to markets across the country due to varied regional impacts from the hurricane.
Tim O’Connor, the executive director of the National Christmas Tree Association, emphasized the importance of purchasing real trees to help struggling farmers, stating, "If one region of the country has problems, other areas typically don’t, and this is just the case here. The best way to support the North Carolina farmers is to buy our real trees. They are good for the environment and good for families."
While Hurricane Helene caused devastation, for farmers like David Pittman of Pittman’s Christmas Tree Farm, the experience of the storm shed light on community bonds and support. The Pittman family, whose farm spans across 70 acres, watched helplessly as mudslides and relentless rainfall destroyed a significant portion of their crops. Despite losing hundreds of trees, they opened their farm earlier this month for customers eager to cut their own trees and were met with overwhelming support.
When Helene made landfall, the effects on Christmas tree farms were catastrophic. The storm, occurring during the peak of the harvesting season, caused unprecedented rainfall and landslides. With estimates showing between 12 to 30 inches of rainfall and winds reaching over 100 mph, many tree farms were left dealing with flooded fields and uprooted trees. Pittman, who had specific contracts for tree shipments, saw his top-performing trees lost and his plans disrupted.
Nonetheless, the transition from despair to hope saw farmers invite visitors back to their farms, celebrating the tradition of choosing and cutting Christmas trees. Local farmers are actively promoting “survivor trees”—those trees which remained resilient through the storm—as symbols of endurance and are showcasing their stories as part of their marketing strategies.
Families like Lacey Costner’s are embracing the community-driven philosophy surrounding these survivor trees. She noted with pride, after visiting Pittman’s farm, just how much she cherished participating in the process of selecting the perfect tree with roots symbolizing survival against all odds. “That’s my tree,” she shared, highlighting the lifeline these trees provide for creating cherished Christmas memories.
The resilience of the community extends beyond individual farms. Nonprofits and local charities are rallying together to support the farmers during this challenging season. Many consumers are reaching out to tree sellers, asking for trees to be donated to families impacted by Helene. Kayla Wilcox from Sugar Grove Nursery noted, “It’s humbling to see people wanting to help out the community. We’re resilient; we’ll be okay.”
The collaborative efforts during this recovery season highlight the heartwarming essence of community ties and support. Each successful sale provides much-needed resources for local families still dealing with the aftermath of the storm. Farmers across the region are encouraging customers to support their local businesses and, as the holiday season progresses, many are hopeful for brighter days.
Returning customers have shared heartfelt connections to their local farms, with many bringing along children and grandchildren to create new holiday memories. This reflects the ageless charm of Christmas traditions, and as the trees are harvested this year, they are likely to carry not just the fragrance of the North Carolina mountains but also the stories of resilience and community spirit.
For many farms, this holiday season marks not just the opportunity to provide beautiful trees but also signifies the rebirth of tradition after tumultuous events, showcasing the farmers' commitment to maintaining the legacy of Christmas giving.
