Oregon State University scientists have figured out how to make trees grow smaller than they're naturally inclined to do.
The genetic engineering study on poplar trees was published in the journal "Landscape Plant News."
OSU professor Steven Strauss says being able to grow smaller trees could open a new niche for nurseries.
He says introducing specific genes can limit trees to a fraction of their natural size.
Steven Strauss: "A breeder can then take the size tree they want. They could take a very short one for a pot, they could take one that's say, six feet in size for a deck, and so on and so forth. We saw this capability to change the size of trees in a diversity of different ways, that could be useful."
Strauss says the research could apply to all kinds of trees.
Many environmentalists criticize genetic engineering of plants because of fears that the GMO's might damage sensitive ecosystems.
Strauss says that's not a problem with his small trees, because their larger cousins will out-perform them in the forest.
Rather, he argues that smaller fir trees, for instance, could be environmentally beneficial -- because they might keep tree customers from buying potentially invasive plants, instead.Oregon Public Broadcasting
