A family Christmas tree farm lost thousands of trees in Helene. This one survived and went to the White House

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A family Christmas tree farm lost thousands of trees in Helene. This one survived and went to the White House

Biden carries out annual turkey pardon

Watch: Biden pardons 2 Minnesota turkeys in annual White House Thanksgiving tradition

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Hurricane Helene wrought devastation on the Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, where the

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has been growing trees for more than six decades. 

The storm, which ******* more than 100 people when it reached western North Carolina in late September, destroyed thousands of trees — but not all of them. First lady Jill Biden on Monday unveiled one of the surviving trees, a 20-foot Fraser fir, as this year’s White House Christmas tree. 

“The Cartner family lost thousands of trees in the storm, but this one remained staining,” the first lady said Monday, accompanied by grandson Beau Biden, Jr. “And they named it Treemendous for the extraordinary hope that it represents.” 

Members of the North Carolina National Guard who worked on hurricane recovery efforts were welcomed to the White House Monday, along with their families. 

The Fraser fir will be displayed in the White House’s Blue Room, where hundreds of holiday visitors to the White House will have a chance to see it during Mr. Biden’s final holiday season in office. 

It was a multi-holiday event day at the White House, where only hours earlier, President Biden pardoned turkeys Peach and Blossom in an annual Thanksgiving tradition. 

First lady Jill Biden receives the official 2024 White House Christmas Tree on the North Portico of the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, as her grandson, Beau Biden, Jr., stands by. 

Susan Walsh / AP

The official White House Christmas tree, a 20-foot Fraser fir, is seen at the Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Newland, N.C.

Erik Verduzco / AP

The official 2024 White House Christmas Tree arrives at the North Portico of the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm from Newland, N.C., provided the Fraser fir that will be displayed in the Blue Room of the White House.

Susan Walsh / AP

First lady Jill Biden speaks alongside her grandson Beau Biden as she receives the official 2024 White House Christmas Tree on the North Portico of the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024.

Mark Schiefelbein / AP

Kathryn Watson

Kathryn Watson is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital, based in Washington, D.C.

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