Ornamental Plant Pathology

Summer 2024

• Gary Chastagner Endowment Fund is kicked off!

Spring 2024

• Sentinel planting site prep and planting completed

Autumn 2023

• Sentinel plant species selected, ordered and propagated at Puyallup

Summer 2023

• Dr. Chastagner receives the Fellow award from the American Phytopathological Society

Spring 2023

• Sentinel plant project at Port of Tacoma underway – we need your help prioritizing which plants to include.
• Story map published for Phytophthora communities in eastern Cascade waterways

Winter 2023

• Dr. Gary Chastagner recognized as Fellow by American Phytopathological Society
• Dr. Joey Hulbert co-authors open-access journal article ‘Citizen science can enhance strategies to detect and manage invasive forest pests and pathogens’

Autumn 2022

• Sooty Bark Disease Diagnostic Guide published
• Dr. Gary Chastagner receives Herb and Helen Plumb Award at annual Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association meeting in Portland, OR.
• Dr. Joey Hulbert was included in a Nature Reviews Methods Primer about citizen science.
• Our program continues to provide diagnostic support to determine if trees are infected with Sooty Bark Disease. Please contact us if you have any questions.
• We are busy analyzing the western redcedar dieback data shared by community scientists in the Forest Health Watch program. Join us for the next research update to hear some preliminary results.
• Watch this video about how you can get involved in the western redcedar dieback research.
• We helped the Washington Department of Health develop this FAQ document about Maple Bark Disease.
• New Extension document available – Preventing Phytophthora infestations in restoration nurseries.

Much of our research is focused on reducing the impacts of pests and diseases on industries involved in the trade of ornamental bulbs, lavender, and Christmas trees. We also conduct applied research to increase the post harvest longevity of Christmas trees.

Our program also conducts research about diseases caused by Phytophthora (fy-toff-thor-uh) species. For example, we work closely with federal and state agencies to manage and monitor Phytophthora ramorum, the invasive species that causes Sudden Oak Death and ramorum foliar blight. We also conduct research about diseases such as Pacific madrone leaf blight and Dutch Elm Disease.

Major aims of our Sudden Oak Death Research Program are to serve stakeholders in the state of Washington with:

• Learning about Phytophthora species by providing information and resources,
• Managing the impact and spread of Phytophthora species in nurseries, gardens, and landscapes,
• Monitoring streams for early detection and baseline information about Phytophthora species,
• Aiding local site eradication of Phytophthora ramorum with advanced steaming protocols and equipment.

Our program has summarized a few plant health concerns that have emerged recently. Access information about these plant health issues by clicking on the images below.

We will continue to update this section of our website. Please feel free to contact us if there are other emerging issues that you would like more information about.