Genetically Modified Christmas Trees: A Dream Come True

Wednesday - December 6 2023, 14:08 UTC - 11 months ago

The NC State Christmas Tree Genetics Program has been working on the development of a genetically engineered Christmas tree for the last four decades. These trees boast increased growth rate, higher symmetry, and longer needle retention, and they are expected to be available to consumers by 2036.

As December begins, the air is filled with a festive spirit, and anticipation for the upcoming holidays is palpable. Christmas trees are synonymous with this holiday season. However, the charm of real trees is sometimes tarnished by the shedding needles, prompting the need for frequent vacuuming. In a bid to address this common concern, geneticists associated with the NC State Christmas Tree Genetics Program at North Carolina State University are taking innovative strides. They have spent the last four decades working on the development of a genetically engineered Christmas tree that would offer three key benefits: increased growth rate, higher symmetry, and longer needle retention.

According to the press release, the team has been growing "elite" Fraser fir trees, which are native to North Carolina's Appalachian mountains and account for more than 98% [percent] of the state's Christmas tree species. Back in the 1990s, the program embarked on a massive evaluation,examining tens of thousands of Fraser firs to identify those with desirable genetic features. Researchers chose the top 25 trees out of over 30,000 through a rigorous selection procedure, which were subsequently propagated and planted in a six-acre seed orchard at the Upper Mountain Research Station in 2018. The seed orchard has over 1,000 trees, some of which are now producing seed-bearing cones. Each cone may produce up to 100 seeds, which researchers are meticulously collecting for further investigation. These seeds will eventually reach producers via a newly built seed processing plant, which is scheduled to distribute seeds between 2026 and 2028.

"Our trees will make the lives of both growers and consumers easier," said Justin Whitehill, director of the Christmas Tree Genetics Program.

Growth rate .

The genetically modified Christmas trees will not only have a faster growth rate and a more aesthetically pleasing structure, but they will also be able to retain their needles longer post-harvest. The small sample of trees has already showcased promising results. "Our genetically-improved trees grew an extra 1-2 inches a year," Whitehill said. "So instead of having to wait 7-8 years for a tree to reach the typical commercial height, growers might only have to wait 6-7 years." The researchers believe that if growers plant the genetically modified tree from the research station by 2030, they will be able to market the trees by 2036. Remarkably, the trees are most likely to shed less than one to two percent of their needles, even in the absence of cooler temperatures. "You might not even need to vacuum with the genetics developed by our program," Whitehill concluded. The findings have not been reported in any scientific journal.