Dr. Christmas Tree Talks About How The Industry Has Changed

As you looked at your Christmas tree this week, did you know much of the research that went into making that tree look its best has taken place at Washington State University over the past 40+ years?  WSU’s Gary Chastagner, also known as Dr. Christmas Tree for his four decades of work to help the industry grow and improve, said the average consumer doesn’t appreciate that Christmas trees are like any other Ag crop and ongoing research and trials are needed to give the consumer what they want.  Chastagner added one of the biggest changes to the Christmas Tree industry has nothing to do with research and education.  He said Christmas Trees have become a bigger commodity internationally and even nationally since 1978.

“[Trees] are also moving tremendously within the U.S.  You see Fraser fir, for example from Wisconsin and North Carolina, in markets in the Northwest, and you see Noble fir in markets on the East Coast," Chastagner said.  "So, trees move around a lot and so that creates some challenges for the industry and it creates some opportunities for consumers that have different choices of trees.” 

When looking back on his over four decades of work, one of the accomplishments he most proud of addresses the issue of needle loss on displayed trees.

“We've developed a very simple detached branch test where we can test trees and determine genetically whether that tree has excellent needle retention irrespective of whether it dries; let's say runs out of water in a stand or something like that," he said.  "And that process, and we've also shown working with a geneticist that trees that produce cones, if they have good needle retention, generally, the progeny from that tree, from the genetic standpoint, tends to have good needle retention.”

Chastagner noted that branch test is now used worldwide.

For more of  Dr. Christmas Tree's thoughts, including where he sees the Christmas tree industry moving into the future, listen to our podcast:

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