For many Westerners, the Christmas tree is the centerpiece of the holiday season. Family and friends gather together to decorate the tree with streamers and baubles, or sit around the tree, sip eggnog and reminisce about the past year. The Christmas tree is also where children discover their presents on Christmas morning. Researchers have extracted the best genetic characteristics of the Fraser fir, arguably the most popular Christmas tree choice, to create a taller, more beautiful tree that, more importantly, will lose very few needles.
Many people prefer real Christmas trees to fake ones, but a major disadvantage of real Christmas trees is that they tend to lose needles and are a hassle to clean up. That's one reason the North Carolina (NC) State Christmas Tree Genetic Program has spent more than 40 years researching "super" versions of the Fraser fir.
The Fraser fir is arguably the most popular variety of Christmas tree. It was chosen for its hardiness, which means it can survive being cut down and transported over long distances. Although it is less likely to drop needles, they still do.
Given the tree's popularity, the Christmas Tree Genetic Project was determined to enhance its properties. Nearly 30,000 Fraser firs were tested, and researchers selected the 25 with the best genetics. In 2018, the trees were propagated and planted in a six-acre seed orchard at North Carolina's Uphill Research Station.
Some of the more than 1,000 trees in the orchard have begun to produce cones, which may contain as many as 100 seeds representing the next generation of trees. Researchers are collecting the cones for study, with plans to eventually submit them to a new seed processing plant for distribution to growers between 2026 and 2028. "Our Christmas trees will make life easier for growers and consumers alike," said Justin Whitehill, director of the Christmas Tree Genetics Project.
So, what’s different about these genetically modified Christmas trees? Three things: they are taller, more beautiful, and perhaps most importantly, they lose very few of their needles.
Generally speaking, Fraser firs need to be grown in the field for at least seven or eight years before they reach a commercial height of six to seven feet (1.8 to 2.1 meters). Genetically modified trees can grow an average of one foot (30 centimeters) taller.
"Our genetically modified trees grow 1-2 inches longer each year," Whitehill said. "So instead of waiting 7-8 years, growers may only have to wait 6-7 years for the trees to reach typical commercial heights."
Christmas tree buyers want a tree with a straight central trunk, branches that turn slightly upward to create a symmetrical cone shape, and a narrow, pointed crown, perfect for angels or stars. Many growers prune Fraser firs to slow their growth and ensure they grow into the perfect shape. Thankfully, appearance was a selection criterion when the researchers determined the top 25 trees.
"Every tree chosen for the orchard is conical in shape and has dense foliage, so we hope their offspring will grow like that," Whitehill said. "If we can create trees like this that reduce or eliminate the need for labor, it saves the grower money. It also makes customers happy."
Unlike most conifers, which lose their needles within 40 days of being picked, the Fraser fir retains its needles for months. The Fraser fir's ability to retain its needles is almost entirely genetically controlled, and modified trees are expected to lose less than 1 to 2 percent of their needles.
"With our project to develop a Christmas tree, you probably won't even need a vacuum cleaner," Whitehill said. Unfortunately, those who want to get their hands on these super firs will have to wait. If growers plant genetically modified trees before 2030, they won't see customers until at least 2037.