RALEIGH, N.C. — Christmas trees are, for many, the centerpiece of the holiday decorations, and there's nothing quite like a real tree. In fact, researchers in North Carolina are working to create the perfect tree.
North Carolina State University researchers are using genetics to make Christmas trees that look pretty, don't lose needles, and grow faster.
Let's connect the dots.
Using genetics, researchers identified the top 25 of 3,000 Fraser firs. They then bred these "elite" trees.
The seeds from these trees are now being planted across the state. These trees have a straighter stem, which means their branches grow slightly upward to form a symmetrical shape with a point top, basically growing as the "perfect" looking tree.
These trees also only lose about 1% to 2% of their needles, even when they're in your house.
It's good news for farmers too. The genetically modified trees are ready to harvest nearly a year earlier than traditional Fraser firs, meaning they can make it into our living room even sooner.
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