As a native of warm weather climates, Eucalyptus favors tropical to sub-tropical conditions with limited tolerance for freezing weather. ArborGen is currently developing a variety of eucalyptus that can survive the occasional cold spell experienced in the Southeastern United States, thus offering a fast-growing, freeze-tolerant hardwood species to the region’s forest landowners.

The ArborGen freeze-tolerance trait targets tolerance to freezing temperatures of 10 to 14 degrees Fahrenheit. This enhancement will be sufficient to permit the establishment of working stands of Eucalyptus in lowland areas of the Southern U.S.

Projected Eucalyptus growth rates in the Southern U.S. offer great promise. The region’s generally sub-tropical climate and long summer days provide an environment favorable to the cultivation of enhanced Eucalyptus that can withstand the occasional winter cold snap.

ArborGen’s freeze-tolerant Eucalyptus product will offer a cost effective, sustainable and high quality hardwood for the U.S. pulp and bioenergy markets.


Aggressive goals are being set regarding energy use in the United States and around the world. Renewable bioenergy will play a key role in the goal of replacing 20% of U.S. gasoline consumption by 2017, 30% of the nation’s transportation fuel consumption by 2030, or 25% of the nation’s energy consumption by 2025. One necessity for the growth of bioenergy is the need for large quantities of biomass feedstock. In order to reach the national goal, it is essential to include lignocellulosic ethanol made from wood in the feedstock inventory.

To meet the increasing need for cellulosic feedstock, ArborGen’s Eucalyptus product has the potential to grow in 5 to 7 year rotations, or less, with production rates of 10 to 15+ dry tons of biomass per acre per year. These products are currently in the final phase of development and testing in the field.

ArborGen believes that woody biomass from trees grown as a dedicated bioenergy crop will play a key role in our green energy future. Trees with ArborGen technology can grow in short periods of time, on less land, and with desired characteristics in the final product. Trees can be harvested year-round to meet market demands and sustain a reliable standing inventory that can ensure the security of future energy supplies. In the Southeastern U.S., the forestry industry and its associated infrastructure are ideally positioned to become a regional leader of biomass production for the emerging bioenergy industry.

Renewable fuels can create new markets for agricultural products, boost local economic development, enhance national energy security, and benefit the environment through lower emissions.

Trees, including ArborGen’s freeze-tolerant Eucalyptus, can play a crucial role in meeting the demand for renewable green energy.