North Carolina Christmas Tree Farms Recover After Hurricane Helene Devastation

Christmas tree farms in North Carolina’s mountains are crucial to the holiday season, producing over 20% of the country’s real Christmas trees. This year, however, many of these farms were hit hard by Hurricane Helene.

One of the affected farms, C & J Christmas Tree Farm in Boone, North Carolina, is working on recovering. The farm faced erosion and damage to fences, but the hardest part for owner Brad Smith was seeing the toll on the local community.

During the aftermath, we’re feeling a little guilty, said Smith. Why did they suffer so much, and we didn’t suffer as much? A man told me, ‘If everyone was devastated, nobody could help.’ That really resonated with me.

To support families affected by the storm, C & J Christmas Tree Farm set up an online pre-order system where customers can buy trees that will be donated to those in need.

Smith explained, You don’t have to look far to realize you’re far more blessed than someone else down the road. The devastation is everywhere in the mountains of North Carolina.

On Thanksgiving, Smith and his wife personally delivered over 30 donated trees to families who had lost everything. It was the best Thanksgiving we’ve ever had, such a blessing,” he said, describing the joy of seeing children excited over the trees.

In addition to helping their community in Boone, the farm is also selling trees in Murrells Inlet at Perry’s Bait and Tackle, with part of the proceeds going toward storm recovery efforts.

Smith is grateful for the community’s support, which reminds him that love and kindness can still shine through even in difficult times. There are good people in this world, people care and people love,” he said. Love is the key.