NEWLAND, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Late December may be the “most magical time of the year,” but in the Christmas tree business, ’tis the season 365 days a year.
According to Sam Cartner, one of three brothers who own and operate Cartner Christmas Tree Farm in Newland, N.C., to grow even one Christmas tree requires years of planning. Let alone the amount of time spent throughout the year tending to tree development and managing early sales.
“It takes a long time to grow a Christmas tree,” Cartner said. “You gotta plan 10 years ahead.”
The trees themselves aren’t the only thing a long time coming for the Cartners.
After competing upwards of a dozen times, the family farm had their tree selected as the official National Christmas Tree of Washington, D.C. The selection process wasn’t a simple one.
“Well, it’s not an easy thing. It’s not a smile and a handshake,” Cartner admitted. “You have to compete on your local association level and place in the top one or two trees. Then, you get the opportunity to compete on the national level.”
Once a tree is selected for national competition, Cartner said, they are split into seven categories dependent on the species of tree. During the first round of judging, two to three trees in each category are nominated. In the next round, those trees are ranked. The winning tree grants its farm the honor of supplying the National Christmas Tree.
That means there are two trees that tree farms must have prepared: one for competition and one for selection. The latter is the one that will go to Washington, a tall order necessitating a tall tree.
“The tree they take to the White House has to be 18 to 19 feet tall and no wider than 12 feet,” Cartner said. “It has to be great on all sides because it goes in a circular room where people walk around on all sides.”
After Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina, it was important for the Cartner family that their tree show the strength, compassion and resilience of the region.
“We want our tree to be a symbol of hope and joy and love and family. All the things a Christmas tree should represent,” Cartner said. “That’s what we want our tree to be. A symbol of all the good things about humanity.
The winning tree will be cut at a harvest and send-off event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at Mountain Glen Golf Club in Newland. The send-off will be accompanied by food, music and a toy drive.
The tree will be presented to First Lady Dr. Jill Biden on Monday, Nov. 25.
Families preparing to get their own Christmas tree can visit the Cartners for a “choose ‘n cut” experience from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Nov. 23 and 24, Nov. 28 to Dec. 1, Dec. 7 and 8.
For more information, contact the Cartners by email at scott@carolinafraserfir.com or phone at (828) 387-0681, or visit their website, www.carolinafraserfir.com.