The recent devastation caused by Hurricane Helene has posed significant challenges to the North Carolina Christmas Tree industry, particularly in terms of road conditions. Northwestern North Carolina is renowned for its picturesque landscapes and, in particular, its high-quality Christmas trees. The region's Fraser firs Christmas tree farms, known for their lush green foliage and pleasant aroma, are highly sought after supplying over 20% of those purchased each year in the United States.
The Impact of Helene
Tropical Storm Helene brought torrential rains, landslides, and flooding to Western North Carolina, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. For Christmas tree growers, the storm's aftermath has presented numerous obstacles, including:
-Damaged roads and bridges: The storm caused severe damage to roads and bridges, making it difficult for growers to access their farms and transport trees to market.
-Landslides: Landslides have blocked roads, making it impossible for trucks to pass through.
-Flooding: Flooding has inundated fields and damaged trees, leading to losses for growers.
Concerns for the Industry
The most pressing concern for Christmas tree growers is the potential impact of damaged roads on the upcoming harvest and shipping season. If roads remain impassable, it could significantly disrupt the supply chain and lead to delays in delivering trees to customers.
-Shipping delays: If trucks cannot access farms or highways, it will delay the shipment of trees to retailers and consumers.
-Increased costs: Damage to roads and infrastructure may lead to increased shipping costs for growers.
-Potential loss of revenue: If trees cannot be harvested or shipped on time, growers may experience a loss of revenue.
Interstate 40 near the Tennessee border where the westbound lanes collapsed into the Pigeon River. NCDOT photo
Efforts to Address the Challenges
Despite the challenges posed by Helene, Christmas tree growers and industry organizations are working tirelessly to address the situation.
-Road repairs: State and local agencies, including the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), are working to repair damaged roads and bridges as quickly as possible.
-Alternative routes: Growers may explore alternative routes or methods of transportation to reach their farms and markets.
-Industry support: The North Carolina Christmas Tree Association is providing support and resources to growers affected by the storm.
The devastation caused by Tropical Storm Helene has presented significant challenges to the Western North Carolina Christmas tree industry. While the full extent of the damage may not be known for some time, growers are working to overcome these obstacles and ensure a successful harvest and shipping season. Greg and Veronica Burghardt of BCTree.farm are making the trip up to visit with our growers and get a first-hand account of the road and other conditions. The resilience of the industry and the support of local communities and Christmas tree-purchasing retail clients will be crucial in ensuring the continued production of high-quality Fraser firs from this region.
List of Road Closures in select Northwestern North Carolina:
These are the primary state and U.S. routes listed as closed or impassable by NCDOT. The Blue Ridge Parkway is also closed throughout North Carolina for the foreseeable future.
ASHE COUNTY -N.C. 88 closed near Three Top Road, west of West Jefferson. -N.C. 88 has lanes closed in two places between Warrensville and the Watauga County line. Not expected to be fully open to travel until Dec. 31. -N.C. 88 lanes narrowed near Burgess Road east of Jefferson due to embankment failures. -N.C. 194 narrowed near Anderson Hill, north of Lansing.
AVERY COUNTY -U.S. 19 closed near Roaring Creek Road. Expected to reopen Dec. 31.
WATAUGA COUNTY -U.S. 321 impassable near Buckeye Road, near the Tennessee line. -U.S. 321, lanes narrowed near Old U.S. 421 west of Boone. -U.S. 421 lanes narrowed near Brown Road and Harley Perry, north of Boone. -N.C. 194 impassable near Dutch Creek Road south of Valle Crucis.
WILKES COUNTY ▪ N.C. 18, Sparta Road, is closed north of Mulberry due to a landslide.
Additional Information
-Secondary and local roads: Numerous secondary and local roads may also be closed or impassable.
-Truck traffic: Truck drivers are advised to avoid two-lane roads through the mountains and consider using I-81 or U.S. 74 to travel between North Carolina and Tennessee.
-Reopening dates: NCDOT is currently using October 31st as the default reopening date for many roads, but this could change depending on the extent of the damage.
Please consult NCDOT or real-time traffic apps for the most accurate and up-to-date road conditions.
Looking for a sustainable and beautiful Christmas tree in Northeast Florida? BCTree.farm sources all its trees from trusted farms in Western North Carolina, ensuring the highest quality and a commitment to responsible land management. This year, to further support the region's recovery from Hurricane Helene, BCTree.farm will be donating 10% of all profits from pre-orders directly to North Carolina disaster relief efforts. Choose a BCTree.farm Christmas tree and make your holiday season a celebration of tradition, sustainability, and community.