Examines the genetic and physiological mechanisms that determine how plants grow, reproduce, respond to their environment, and are managed and modified for human benefit. We research means to improve the environmental sustainability of energy, wood, and paper production in trees using genomics (entire DNA) and genetic engineering methods.

Forest genetics research in FES focuses on the genomics, biotechnology, ecological genetics, physiological genetics, and breeding of forest trees, especially poplars and Douglas-fir. Poplar research explores what genes do (functional genomics), while Douglas-fir research looks for the genetic underpinnings of wood quality and adaptations such as cold hardiness. Research in tree physiology explores the physiological mechanisms of growth and ecology of forest trees, such as aging processes in forest trees, why plants produce the structures they do, and how that influences resulting wood quality.