By Theresa Opeka
Carolina Journal
The North Carolina Christmas Tree Association doesn’t expect Hurricane Helene’s aftermath to significantly affect the supply of North Carolina Fraser Fir Christmas trees this holiday season.
“It will take some time to fully assess the extent and implications of damage to Christmas tree farms affected by the hurricane, but our farmers have weathered the storm and are ready to persevere,” Jennifer Greene, executive director for the Association, said in an emailed statement to Carolina Journal Wednesday. She added that Christmas tree farmers are resilient, possessing the grit and determination to overcome the most challenging circumstances.
North Carolina is the second largest Christmas-tree-producing state in the country, with 96% of production based in the western North Carolina mountain region. Approximately 940 growers grow 53 million Christmas trees on an estimated 33,000 acres, making it one of the largest economic contributors to the region.
“At this point, we are still gathering information from our farmers regarding the extent that their farms were impacted by the storm,” she said. “The next step will be working together to create a plan for harvest and shipping as we prioritize the safety and welfare of our farmers, their families, and their workers.”
Greene said while Helene is the most catastrophic storm most have seen in their lifetime of living in the area, Christmas tree farming is a livelihood, and farmers are committed to harvesting their trees and delivering North Carolina Fraser Fir Christmas trees to retailers across the country.
Trees from the Tar Heel State have held great significance over the years, having been chosen to grace the White House and the US Capitol multiple times.
Cline Church Nursery, Fleetwood, Ashe County, was selected to have one of its trees appear in the Blue Room of the White House last Christmas. The National Christmas Tree Association chose them as the 2023 Grand Champion Grower.
Last year marked the fifteenth time a tree from North Carolina was chosen as the official Christmas tree for the White House, more than any other state in the nation. Just three years ago, in 2021, a Fraser Fir tree was donated from Peak Farms, owned by Rusty and Beau Estes, in Jefferson, Ashe County.
“Ruby,” a 78-foot tall Red Spruce from North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest, was chosen as the 2022 US Capitol Christmas Tree.
North Carolina tree farms have also donated to the Christmas Spirit Foundation’s Trees for Troops program to make sure military families have a Christmas tree in their homes for the Christmas season.
Greene said they are grateful for the outpouring of support from neighbors, friends, and volunteers from various areas and states and for the tremendous amount of support and guidance from the ag community, including the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, local NC State University Cooperative Extension Centers, elected officials, and partner organizations.
“We have a long way to go, but we have every confidence that in November, we will welcome our faithful friends to our local choose-and-cut farms, and our wholesale Christmas trees will be on their way down the mountain, ready to help families celebrate the merriest season of all,” she said.
Greene said people can support Christmas tree farmers in western North Carolina by buying a real Christmas tree, preferably a North Carolina Fraser fir, but any real tree helps support what tree farmers dedicate their lives to.
She told CJ that it is too early to say how much prices may increase due to Helene’s effects.
For the most up-to-date information on Christmas tree availability, please visit www.NCchristmastrees.com. Farmers can also find a list of resources that may be helpful on their website.
Theresa Opeka is the Executive Branch reporter for the Carolina Journal.
