Hurricane Helene Challenges North Carolina's Christmas Tree Industry
2024 has been an extremely challenging year for North Carolina’s Christmas tree farmers, with extreme weather events wreaking havoc on an industry that supplies a significant share of the nation’s holiday evergreens. Using Helios AI’s proprietary platform, we tracked the impacts of three major climate events that hit the region in quick succession: a tropical storm, record-breaking rainfall, and Hurricane Helene. Together, these weather systems delivered nearly 13 times the typical amount of rainfall in just two months, with Helene alone dumping six times the usual precipitation. This unprecedented deluge saturated soils, stunted tree growth, and exacerbated root diseases, leaving a tangible mark on both the quantity and quality of this year’s harvest.
According to the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management, the total economic impact of Hurricane Helene on Christmas tree production is estimated to be around $383 million, with direct production losses of $208 million. This staggering figure underscores the vulnerability of an industry that is heavily reliant on stable weather conditions. North Carolina, the second-largest producer of Christmas trees in the United States, contributes more than 20% of the nation’s total supply, making these impacts significant for both local farmers and national consumers.
Heavy winds and rain uprooted mature trees and drowned young seedlings in waterlogged soils, leading to stunted growth and higher rates of root diseases like phytophthora. The combination of dry summers and extreme rainfall further destabilized soils, leaving younger trees most vulnerable. Since Christmas trees take 5-10 years to mature, this year’s damage could affect future harvests. The North Carolina Christmas Tree Association remains optimistic, stating that most mature trees were spared, ensuring enough supply for the holidays. However, younger trees took the brunt of the storm, potentially impacting production in the coming years.
What does all this mean?
For sellers and buyers of Christmas trees, this means tighter supply and noticeable differences in product quality. Waterlogged soils deprived the trees of oxygen, halting their ability to properly absorb nutrients. This has resulted in smaller trees with thinner, less vibrant needles in many cases, as well as higher rates of disease and rot. Farmers, grappling with flooded fields and stressed crops, have reported significant losses, particularly among younger trees, which are more vulnerable to these conditions. The cumulative effect is a smaller harvest and an uneven crop, which translates into reduced availability and increased prices for consumers at tree lots and farms.
Consumers can expect to pay more for their Christmas trees in the next few years — potentially 20-30% above last year’s prices in some areas. Limited supply will likely lead to quicker sellouts, but quality concerns might require additional communication from sellers to manage customer expectations.
Hurricane Helene is just one example of how extreme weather events are reshaping agriculture. As Helios AI’s analysis has shown, the cascading impacts of extreme precipitation are no longer rare events but an increasingly critical factor in shaping the future of farming—including holiday traditions like Christmas tree production. With climate change driving more intense and frequent storms, the risks to this industry are growing.
Fun Facts About North Carolina’s Christmas Trees
North Carolina produces over 5 million Christmas trees annually, with the Fraser fir as its most popular variety.
It takes an average of 7 years to grow a tree to market size.
The industry contributes over $75 million annually to the state economy.
