Hurricane Helene wrought devastation on the Cartner's Christmas Tree Farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, where the Cartner family has been growing trees for more than six decades.

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.

When Helene flooded parts of western North Carolina in late September, it destroyed many businesses, including a 200-year-old Christmas tree farm in the town of Plumtree.

The visit to Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm by White House staff was initially delayed because of damaged roads, Greene said. When the staff made their selection in late October, they adorned their tree of choice with a red, white and blue ribbon that was larger than a basketball, Cartner said.