### A Story of Resilience: Cartner Family's Tree Brings Hope from Hurricane-Hit North Carolina to the White House
**NEWLAND, N.C.** — For the Cartner family, 2024 was set to be a landmark year as one of their farm's prized Christmas trees was chosen for the White House. However, their excitement was tempered by the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, which swept through western North Carolina, including Avery County, where Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm has stood strong for decades.
Helene's powerful downpours triggered a mudslide on the farm, claiming thousands of trees. Despite the destruction, a towering 20-foot Fraser fir remained unscathed. This remarkable tree, standing as a testament to the farm’s resilience, will soon be cut, hoisted by a crane, and transported to Washington, D.C., to serve as the official White House Christmas tree.
“We wanted this tree to be a beacon of hope for other farmers and communities in western North Carolina who have faced significant losses,” said Sam Cartner Jr., one of the farm's three co-owners.
### Helene's Impact on the Farm
The damage from Hurricane Helene becomes strikingly evident at the front of the property, where mudslides wiped out approximately 5,000 to 6,000 young trees. While these losses didn’t impact the current harvest, repairing damaged culverts, gullies, and roads was an immediate challenge. “It could have been much worse,” Cartner admitted. Despite the setbacks, the farm is on track for a "relatively normal harvest," unlike other farms in the region that are struggling to rebuild their infrastructure.
Jennifer Greene, executive director of the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association, highlighted the resilience of farmers across the region. Though some farms suffered significant tree losses, she emphasized their determination. “They’ll find a way to make it work,” Greene said.
### A Farm with Deep Roots
Cartner’s parents, Sam and Margaret Cartner, established the farm in 1959, focusing on Fraser firs native to the Appalachian Mountains. Over the decades, the farm grew from a small operation to 500 acres, with most of its trees sold wholesale to independent garden centers and stores nationwide.
Maintaining the farm is a year-round effort, supported by seasonal workers from Mexico. "By the time a tree reaches the customer, it has been touched over 100 times through manual labor," Cartner explained.
### The White House Tree Selection
The farm’s meticulous work paid off when it was named the 2024 Grand Champion at the National Christmas Tree Association’s annual contest, earning them the honor of supplying the White House tree. After some delays due to storm-damaged roads, White House staff visited in late October to select the tree, marking it with a red, white, and blue ribbon.
The chosen tree, approximately 25 years old and weighing up to 230 kilograms, will soon begin its journey to Washington, where it will grace the White House’s Blue Room. The Cartner family plans to present the tree to First Lady Jill Biden and return in December to see it beautifully decorated.
### A Symbol of Hope
For the Cartners, the White House tree is more than an honor; it’s a symbol of hope and perseverance. Despite the challenges brought by Helene and the demands of harvest season, the family remains optimistic.
Reflecting on his parents’ legacy, Cartner shared, “They would want this tree to represent faith, hope, love, joy, family, and generosity — all the good things we need to pause and celebrate.”
As the tree embarks on its journey to the nation’s capital, it carries with it the spirit of western North Carolina’s resilience and the enduring hope of the Cartner family.