Christmas tree farms in North Carolina hit by Hurricane Helene, felt through the industry

NORTH CAROLINA (WTVD) — Western North Carolina is home to one of the nation’s largest sources of Christmas trees in the country. That’s why, after Hurricane Helene, many hope to show their support for the local economy.

This year, more people are choosing the tradition of a fresh tree instead of a store-bought tree.

“A lot of people have said you know I haven’t had a real tree in 10 years, 5 years, whatever it is, but they want to go out and buy a real tree just to support western North Carolina, ” says Blake Haley with Parker’s Christmas trees.

That support is crucial for the Christmas tree industry, which has been hit hard by Hurricane Helene.

The Parker’s source trees from western North Carolina for their lot off Highway 98 in Wake Forest.

Other farms in WNC allow customers to visit and cut their own treeswhich they encourage people to consider as well, as a visit to the west can also help their local economy.

At Twin Pines Nursery in Avery County, they were one of the lucky ones with minimal damage from Helene.

SEE ALSO | The White House Christmas tree comes from western North Carolina

Fortunately, their crops were mostly okay, although for a while the roads made transporting them a challenge.

“Some of the bridges and damage that I saw, I didn’t expect anything to happen so soon, but it just shows you the resilience. Not just the mountains, the community, but everybody from some mountain coming up and putting up up. a helping hand,” says Dustin Haigler.

And they need that support for many years to come – Christmas trees require much more patience than other crops.

“When we talk about Christmas trees, we’re talking about a 6- or 7-year investment to get that tree to the size it needs to be, so if you lose trees or lose a yard, think about doing I’m going to do it , because I have to think 6 or 7 years out,” says Shawn Harding of the NC Farm Bureau.