When Gary Chastagner was a kid in the 1950s, his parents typically displayed their Christmas tree for about a week. The tree went up on December 24—often after he went to bed—and came down after New Year’s Day.

Now, consumers want fresh-cut trees that can be displayed for weeks without losing their needles. Chastagner, a professor emeritus of plant pathology at Washington State University, has spent more than 40 years helping Northwest Christmas tree growers improve their product. For his work, Chastagner earned the nickname “Dr. Christmas Tree.”

In this episode, Chastagner talks about working on solutions to Swiss needle cast disease in Douglas fir and visiting tree lots in the Southwest to improve the hydration of displayed trees. He’s also visited other countries to scout out new Christmas tree varieties.

Chastagner was honored with a lifetime achievement award from the National Christmas Tree Association in 2018.

He retired in April 2025 from the WSU Research and Extension Center in Puyallup, where he also worked on ornamental flower bulb, cut flower, and nursery stock research.

The Dr. Gary Chastagner Endowed Chair in Plant Pathology has been created and is raising money to continue research with the Christmas tree and horticultural industries.

Read more

Northwest growers test new tree varieties as droughts threaten Christmas crop (NWPB, Dec. 2, 2025)

Oh, Christmas trees! (Washington State Magazine, Winter 2022)

Talkin’ around the Christmas tree: Stories, history and tips (Washington State Magazine, Winter 2022)

Ask Mr. Christmas Tree (Washington State Magazine, Winter 2013)

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