Through the creation of improved varieties, forest tree breeders have played their role in the improvement and the sustainability of forests in Europe.

Over decades, they have built up huge collections of trees of important species and vast networks of experimental trials. In addition, they have continuously developed original methodology in genetics and in related sciences to recombine, test, evaluate, analyse, select and mass-produce forest tree species. All this, together with dedicated facilities and equipment, represents a unique set of biological material and infrastructures.

Unfortunately, this resource and the teams concerned are scattered all over Europe and national teams do not reach the critical mass to conduct their activities most efficiently.

In addition, tree breeding R&D activities have become more complex due to environmental concerns (climatic changes, pressure from natural disaster, allergy), socio-economic pressures (multi-functionality) and the development of new technologies (genomics, somatic embryogenesis). Rare are the teams who can now compete alone with these new conditions.

The main aim of this project is therefore to develop at the European level a scientific and technical research framework in forest genetics and tree breeding.

Further information can be found on the TREEBREEDIX website.