How Hurricane Helene Affected NC’s Christmas Tree Industry
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A North Carolina Christmas tree will be on its way to the White House Wednesday, just weeks after Hurricane Helene devastated the area. The tree, harvested from Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm, symbolizes the community’s resilience in the wake of the storm, which caused widespread damage across western North Carolina.
“We want this tree to represent all the good things about society—faith, love, hope, joy, and generosity—that we’ve experienced during our recovery,” said Sam Cartner, co-owner of the farm.
According to WBTV, Hurricane Helene washed out roads, caused mudslides, and destroyed thousands of trees. Cartner’s farm lost about 6,000 trees, while nearby Avery Farms lost approximately 80,000. Recovery efforts, including road repairs, are still underway in the region.
