Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm was the winner of the National Christmas Tree Association’s national tree contest. It’s a high honor for the Cartner brothers.
NEWLAND, N.C. — A Christmas tree from a farm in Newland, North Carolina, is now being delivered to the White House.
The Cartner Family previously harvested the tree, which will be displayed in the Blue Room at the White House. Crews cut down the White House Christmas Tree on Nov. 20.
Ahead of the tree’s transportation, there was a sendoff celebration at Mountain Glen Golf Club, where a toy drive was held to help victims of Hurricane Helene. Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm is in Newland, a small town in western North Carolina hit hard by the storm.
The Cartner brothers said they are honored to have one of their trees chosen to be in the White House.
“We had two that were in our top list and this is one them,” Sam Cartner said. “It had to be at least 19 feet tall and could not more than 12 feet wide.”
It’s a Fraser fir, known for its needle retention, strong branches and pleasant aroma.
“The thing about the tree is that it needs be full all the way around because it’s not against a wall and people walk all around the tree,” Dale Haney, the White House grounds superintendent, explained.
Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm was the winner of the National Christmas Tree Association’s national tree contest. It’s a high honor for the Cartner brothers.
“We want it to represent all of the other Christmas tree farmers, all of western North Carolina who endured the worst natural disaster in our history,” Cartner said. “And we want to represent all of the love and generosity from all of the people in United States.”
North Carolina has a history of providing Christmas trees to the White House. This year marks the 16th time since 1971.
The state also provided the official White House tree in 2023. In 2022, Vice President Kamala Harris selected a North Carolina Fraser fir Christmas tree to display in her home. In 2022, North Carolina also provided the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree.
