Thinking about a live tree this year? Some NC growers impacted by Helene

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — As communities in western North Carolina continue to recover from Helene, it’s also impacting growers in the area. 

Some of those crops will eventually be sold here. 

Barr Evergreens on Covil Ave in Wilmington has sold produce from their farm near West Jefferson for decades.  Right now, they’re selling pumpkins and squash that was harvested before Helene. 

Soon they’ll be selling their live Christmas trees. 

Employee Bill Beckman said the farm sustained some damage, but that the season should continue on schedule. 

“Some bigger trees fell into our tree fields, and some of the roads that go up and down the aisles kind of got washed out, but overall the damage was very minimal,” Beckman said. “We’ll make it work, we have tractors and equipment that we can repair the roads to and fix them. So I think by the time we’re starting to harvest trees, it’ll be all good.” 

Beckman said their farm in Ashe County was spared the brunt of the storm, but that their neighbors further south likely had more severe damage. Christmas trees also take an average of eight years to grow, meaning damage to farms could have impacts lasting years.

Beckman added they will begin selling their trees on November 22.