SWEDEN – A new study from Umeå University has revealed that the trees’ circadian clock guides their growth and the timing of seasonal events like the appearance of leaves in spring. The researchers investigated the growth of genetically modified poplars in greenhouse and field conditions, combining statistical learning and plant biology methods. Their findings suggest that adjusting clock-associated genes could help trees better synchronize with changing climates, offering new opportunities for forestry. …Additionally, some gene modifications improved the trees’ resilience under environmental fluctuations. By focusing on these specific genes, it would be possible to breed tree varieties that are better adapted to rapid changes in the local climate, and to new growing locations, for example in other latitudes.