Please join us in welcoming Dr. Will Kohlway to the NC State Extension Forestry team!

Dr. Kohlway is our newest Extension Specialist in Christmas Tree Production and Marketing and is based out of western NC. To contact Will, email him at whkohlwa@ncsu.edu.

Learn more about Will:

“I am overjoyed to join NC State Extension Forestry as the Christmas tree Production and Marketing Specialist. I have been dedicated to Christmas tree research since 2011, when I joined the NC State Christmas tree Genetics program as an undergraduate research assistant. This experience inspired me to earn both a Master’s and a Doctoral degree at NC State University with Dr. John Frampton, exploring Phytophthora root rot resistance in exotic conifers, including Turkish and Trojan fir. Since graduating, I have worked with Dr. Justin Whitehill as a postdoctoral researcher and Christmas tree breeding manager to develop physical and molecular resources to accelerate genetic improvement efforts of Fraser and exotic fir species for use as Christmas trees. I am excited to use my experience to assist in the improvement of Christmas tree quality, yield, and marketability through the delivery of research-based solutions and decision-making tools to growers statewide. Together we can keep the NC Christmas tree industry going strong!”

With years of experience in Christmas trees, we are excited to have yet another knowledgeable addition to our team! Please welcome him to NC State Extension and keep an eye out for his work as he joins our outreach efforts.