Rick Dungey

Executive Director, National Christmas Tree Association

Search every verified Rick Dungey interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Rick Dungey, executive director of the National Christmas Tree Association, appeared on the TVPN program on October 6, 2026, to discuss the Christmas tree industry. He described the cultivation process, noting that trees are planted in the spring and harvested in the fall, but unlike other crops, they require four to twelve years before reaching harvest readiness, depending on species and growing conditions. He also recounted an interaction with the U.S. Trade Representative regarding tariffs, stating that his organization argued against an exemption for imported trees by pointing out that an American alternative exists. Dungey said the association was successful in preventing the exemption. During the appearance, the show's hosts also mentioned a donation to the Trees for Troops foundation and encouraged listeners to support it.