ASHEVILLE, N.C. — A 35-foot Fraser fir grown at Andrew’s Nursery in Avery County has arrived at Biltmore House as the centerpiece of the estate’s annual holiday display, ABC affiliate WLOS reported.
The tree from the long-standing Avery County supplier anchors the seasonal decorations for the historic estate’s upcoming holiday launch on Tuesday.
Andrew’s Nursery has supplied Christmas trees to Biltmore for many years. This year’s fir weighs approximately 2,500 pounds and stands 2 to 3 feet taller than the standard size typically selected for the display.
About 50 staff members worked together to maneuver the tree through the main entrance of Biltmore House in Asheville. Crews navigated past valuable artwork and antiques to position the fir in the Banquet Hall, where workers pivoted the top of the tree around a chandelier before hoisting it vertical under the hall’s 70-foot ceiling, WLOS reported.
Trip Hudgins, engineering operations manager at Biltmore House, monitored the complex maneuver. Hudgins noted that the extra height on this year’s tree added to the difficulty of the installation.
“It really starts the Christmas season for us here,” Hudgins said. “Just a wonderful feeling. I’ve been here more than 16 years and it’s just, it’s beautiful.”
After workers secured the tree, decorators used scaffolding and specialized equipment to trim the upper branches. The holiday design incorporates platinum highlights, antique silver tones and oversized red jingle bells inspired by European decor to complement the historic collection inside the residence.
The holiday tradition began on Christmas Eve 1895, when George Vanderbilt first opened his completed residence to relatives and guests.
The “Christmas at Biltmore” seasonal event officially opens today and runs through Jan. 10, 2027.