Summary
Imagine your family’s cherished heirloom, passed down for six generations, being destroyed in an instant. That’s what happened to Avery Farms in North Carolina, a historic Christmas tree farm, when Hurricane Helene blew through and uprooted 80,000 trees, effectively turning a thriving green empire into a battlefield. It’s like the Grinch stole Christmas, but instead of stealing presents, he stole the very trees that bring joy to countless homes, and it could take 15 years to grow them back, casting a long shadow over future holiday cheer.
Key Points
• Hurricane Helene inflicted severe damage to Avery Farms, a Christmas tree farm in North Carolina, uprooting 80,000 trees and potentially setting back holiday cheer for years.
• Owner Graham Avery estimates that it will take millions of dollars and many years to restore the land and the farm business.
• The farm, which is in the Appalachian region of the state, has been selling trees for three generations. Each tree is sold for about 30 to 55 dollars wholesale.
• Despite the devastation, Avery remains hopeful and is determined to restore the farm, even if it leads to bankruptcy.
• In the meantime, Avery Farms will be selling a few spare trees and wreaths this year. This could potentially affect the Christmas tree market in North Carolina, which harvests more than 3 million trees annually.
Background
Avery Farms is a six-generation family-owned Christmas tree farm located in the Appalachian region of North Carolina, two hours northwest of Charlotte. The farm was one of the hardest hit by Hurricane Helene in September. North Carolina is a key market for Christmas trees, with more than 3 million trees harvested each year, contributing to $144 million in sales in 2022.
Future Implications
The devastation caused by Hurricane Helene to Avery Farms could potentially impact the Christmas tree market in North Carolina and beyond for years to come. According to Avery, it will take 15 years to be able to sell healthy Christmas trees again. This could lead to shortages and price increases for consumers. Furthermore, Avery’s determination to rebuild, despite the potential for bankruptcy, illustrates the profound impacts of climate events on small family-owned businesses and their communities.
