North Carolina is the No. 2 producer of Christmas trees in the US behind Oregon thanks to the native Fraser fir. We talked to an expert about the industry and the effects Hurricane Helene had on WNC Christmas tree growers + farms.
The Fraser fir is native to six small populations in the southern Appalachian mountains and grows better there than anywhere else in the world. As of 2024, the Fraser fir accounts for approx. 35% of all real Christmas trees in the US, and the trees are shipped across the country through retailers like Home Depot and Williams Sonoma.
According to Dr. Justin Whitehill, an assistant professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources at NC State, six to eight WNC Christmas Tree farms were severely impacted by Hurricane Helene and collectively lost $30 million or more.
“As a whole, though, I would say the industry is very resilient,” Whitehill told RALtoday. “Since Christmas trees are a long term crop, in five to 10 years, we might see some impact from [Helene].”
The best way to support these WNC growers is to purchase their trees, according to Whitehill. Head to the mountains and visit a choose-and-cut farm ahead of the holidays, or stay local and buy a tree from a vendor like Mistletoe Meadows, Shepherd’s Way Farms, or from the NC State Farmers Market. If you’re not feeling up for a whole tree, pick a fresh garland or wreath to adorn your home.
Did you know? When tobacco started to fall out of favor in the ‘80s and ‘90s, many WNC growers shifted their focus to Christmas trees. Plus, WNC isn’t the only region for Christmas trees in NC — Whitehill works with growers in east of the mountains growing varieties beyond the Fraser fir.
