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)

Support the show

______________________________________________________________________________
Want more great WSU stories? Follow Washington State Magazine:

• LinkedIn @Washington-State-Magazine
• Bluesky @wastatemagazine.bsky.social
• X (formerly Twitter) @wsmagazine
• Facebook @WashingtonStateMagazine
• Instagram @WashingtonStateMagazine
• YouTube @WashingtonStateMagazine
• Email newsletter

How do you like the magazine podcast? What WSU stories do you want to hear? Let us know.

Give to the magazine

Philip Meech and Caffè Lusso take people on a coffee journey around the world. A coffee roaster and entrepreneur for over 25 years, he wants coffee drinkers to slow down, taste the roasted beans and enjoy the rich variety.

In this episode, Philip talks with Washington State Magazine editor Larry Clark about enjoying coffee, his lifelong love of coffee, the art and science of coffee roasting, and his journey from Washington State University to running a successful micro-roastery.

Meech, a 2000 WSU business alum, also gives some tips on brewing and tasting coffee.

Read about Meech in “Coffee, community, calm” (Fall 2025 issue of Washington State Magazine).

Learn more at Caffè Lusso.

Check out some other coffee tasting tutorials on YouTube recommended by Meech:

· A Beginners Guide to Coffee Tasting (James Hoffmann)

· HOW TO TASTE COFFEE: A Lexicon for Coffee Lovers (Lance Hedrick)

Support the show

______________________________________________________________________________
Want more great WSU stories? Follow Washington State Magazine:

• LinkedIn @Washington-State-Magazine
• Bluesky @wastatemagazine.bsky.social
• X (formerly Twitter) @wsmagazine
• Facebook @WashingtonStateMagazine
• Instagram @WashingtonStateMagazine
• YouTube @WashingtonStateMagazine
• Email newsletter

How do you like the magazine podcast? What WSU stories do you want to hear? Let us know.

Give to the magazine

Dawn Daniels was appointed as Washington State University’s police chief in August 2025. Daniels shares her journey from WSU student to leading the university’s police department.

Over the years, she has served in various WSU roles including community policing officer, sergeant, and firearms instructor. With nearly three decades of service, she reflects on her career, the evolving role of campus policing, and her commitment to student success and community collaboration.

“I’ve always viewed policing as teaching—just in a different way,” Daniels says.

She talks with Washington State Magazine editor Larry Clark about her unexpected path into law enforcement, the importance of community policing and student engagement, and memorable moments in her career.

Support the show

______________________________________________________________________________
Want more great WSU stories? Follow Washington State Magazine:

• LinkedIn @Washington-State-Magazine
• Bluesky @wastatemagazine.bsky.social
• X (formerly Twitter) @wsmagazine
• Facebook @WashingtonStateMagazine
• Instagram @WashingtonStateMagazine
• YouTube @WashingtonStateMagazine
• Email newsletter

How do you like the magazine podcast? What WSU stories do you want to hear? Let us know.

Give to the magazine