RALEIGH, N.C. — Researchers at North Carolina State Universityaren't content to let nature make perfect Christmas trees, not withmillions of dollars at stake for the state.
They are relying on genetics and cloning as they work to createforests of flawless evergreens that are more resistant to diseaseand less likely to lose needles.
North Carolina is the nation's Number two Christmas tree statebehind Oregon and will sell more than $100 million oftrees this year.
J.B. Jett, associate dean for research and extension, says theuniversity's genetics program eventually could raise each tree'svalue by $1 to $2.
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