ArborGen received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to plant a quarter million genetically modified eucalyptus trees in an effort to increase paper production, according to an Associated Press report.
According to the report, ArborGen is a South Carolina-based biotech joint venture between International Paper, MeadWestvaco and Rubicon, and plans to plant the altered in Florida, South Carolina, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Louisiana.
Eucalyptus trees are ideal for paper production because of the high quality pulp they produce. They also have a faster growth rate than hardwoods. According to the article, ArborGen said using the altered eucalyptus could produce more timber with less land use, allowing native forests to be conserved. The trees can grow 25 feet a year and be ready for felling within three years, according to the report.
See full post at: Millcraft Paper Company: Genetically Modified Paper On It’s Way.
Related articles by Zemanta
- Forests Of ArborGen Genetically Modified Trees OK’d For U.S. South (huffingtonpost.com)
- Paper industry tests genetically altered trees (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
- U.S. Clears Test of Gene-Altered Eucalyptus Trees in South (nytimes.com)
