NEWLAND, N.C. (AP) — The Cartner family has been aware for over a year that one of their Christmas trees would be destined for the White House this winter. However, their plans were complicated when Hurricane Helene hit, causing severe flooding in western North Carolina, particularly in Avery County where Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm has operated for generations. The storm resulted in the loss of thousands of trees due to a mudslide, but fortuitously, many more, including a remarkable 20-foot tall conical tree, managed to survive.
This grand tree is poised to be cut down, lifted by a crane, and placed onto a truck heading to the nation’s capital. “We aim to be a symbol of hope for other farmers and residents in western North Carolina who have suffered significant losses,” explained Sam Cartner Jr., one of three brothers who manage the family farm.
As Cartner drives his SUV towards the front of the property, the devastation wrought by the hurricane becomes visible. A hillside has been gouged out, revealing the brown soil underneath, a consequence of the mudslide that destroyed between 5,000 and 6,000 trees. Fortunately, these were younger trees that hadn’t yet reached market size, preventing an immediate impact on the current harvest season.
Despite the extensive damage, the tranquil sight of countless dark green Christmas trees standing in rows against the backdrop of the rolling hills offers a stark contrast. The area remains peaceful, filled only with the sounds of birds chirping and leaves rustling.
Besides the tree losses, the storm also washed out culverts and gullies on the property, making it difficult to access certain areas of the farm for some time. Cartner noted that it took several weeks to repair the dirt roads that weave through the farm, but he is relieved that conditions did not turn out to be worse.
“We anticipate a mostly normal harvest season,” Cartner remarked. “Others are not as fortunate.”
Jennifer Greene, executive director of the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association, highlighted that the primary challenge facing Christmas tree farmers across western North Carolina is repairing their infrastructure, including roads. While some farms did sustain tree losses, Greene expressed confidence that overall, the farmers, who collectively harvest around 4–5 million Christmas trees each year, will adapt and persevere. “They are resilient and resourceful; they’ll find a way to make it work,” she stated.
A Journey From a Small Farm to Expansive Acres of Christmas Trees
The Cartner family legacy began in 1959 when Sam and Margaret Cartner founded the farm, initially cultivating Fraser firs — a tree native to the Appalachian region. Over the years, they passed the farm down to their three sons, including Cartner Jr.
The farm had modest beginnings, with the family raising cows, cabbage, and beans alongside the Fraser firs. They strategically planted their Christmas trees on the steepest fields, preserving their best land for other crops. Today, Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm has expanded to encompass approximately 500 acres, primarily selling wholesale to independent garden centers and stores nationwide.
With growth has come increased staffing needs; the farm now employs seasonal workers from Mexico to assist with year-round land maintenance, including the trimming of trees. Recently, their efforts have focused on loading trees of various sizes into trailers for shipping.
“By the time a tree reaches the consumer, we say it has been handled over 100 times, and that’s all through manual labor,” Cartner explained.
Choosing the Right Tree for the White House
All their hard work culminated in Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm being named the 2024 grand champion at the National Christmas Tree Association’s annual contest. Traditionally, the winner is chosen to provide the official Christmas tree for the White House that year.
Staff from the White House visited the Cartner farm to select their tree, a visit that was initially postponed due to damaged roads. By late October, they chose a stunning tree adorned with a large red, white, and blue ribbon, larger than a basketball. The selected tree, around 25 years old and weighing between 400 and 500 pounds (180 to 230 kilograms), is so heavy that a crane will be required to lift it onto its transport truck for the trip to Washington. Cartner attributes the choice to the tree’s “wonderful verdant color” and short limbs, which likely appealed to the selection committee, along with its compliance with size requirements for display.
The Cartner family has plans to present the tree to First Lady Jill Biden at the White House. Following this, they intend to return in December to see their tree beautifully adorned in the White House’s Blue Room.
Cartner’s Tree as a Beacon of Hope for Western North Carolina
While the excitement surrounding the White House Christmas tree is invigorating, Cartner expressed his eagerness to move past this busy period. The aftermath of Helene has made for an already demanding year, compounded by the challenges of the harvest season.
“You have to cut and ship a large number of trees within two to three weeks. When you add a hurricane and the White House presentation into the mix, it can feel overwhelming,” he reflected.
Looking ahead, work is already underway for the next season. The farm faces challenges like sourcing seedlings after hurricane damage to greenhouses, handling paperwork for returning workers, and placing orders for fertilizer and pesticides. It’s a significant operation that has evolved dramatically since Cartner’s parents first established it. Although they might have shunned the spotlight, Cartner believes they would take pride in representing western North Carolina during these trying times following Helene.
“They would want this tree to symbolize the faith, hope, love, joy, and generosity that mankind needs to acknowledge,” he concluded.
