Biotech trees — also referred to as genetically modified (GM) or genetically engineered trees — are forest tree species that have been altered using biotechnology tools such as genetic transformation, gene editing (including CRISPR-Cas9), or selective molecular breeding to express traits that do not arise naturally within the timescales of conventional breeding programs. Target traits in commercial forestry include accelerated growth rates, improved wood density and fibre quality, enhanced resistance to pests and pathogens (such as root rot fungi, bark beetles, and introduced diseases), tolerance to drought or frost, and altered lignin composition to reduce chemical inputs in pulp and paper processing. Eucalyptus species have been a primary focus of biotech tree research globally, given their dominance in plantation forestry across the Southern Hemisphere, including Australia, Brazil, and South Africa. In the United States, ArborGen and Living Carbon have pursued GM tree programs targeting loblolly pine and poplar respectively, with the latter claiming enhanced carbon sequestration as an added benefit relevant to carbon credit markets. In Australia, the regulatory framework administered by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) governs any field trial or commercial release of GM trees, making the pathway to deployment lengthy and complex. Despite this, research institutions including the University of Queensland and several state forestry agencies have investigated biotech approaches for improving the productivity and resilience of plantation eucalypt and pine estate. Critics raise concerns about gene flow to wild relatives, impacts on biodiversity, and the social licence implications of deploying GM organisms in forest landscapes. Proponents argue that biotech trees offer one of the most powerful tools for adapting commercial forestry to climate change and increasing timber productivity without expanding the plantation footprint.
| Field |
Value |
| Company |
Living Carbon |
| Country |
USA |
| Type |
Company |
| Employees |
~50 |
| FWPA RD&E |
9.1 |