I mean, why not use hemp instead of engineering a new species of tree?
You’ve been able to patent asexually reproduced plants since 1930, so if a new paper production centric hemp breed was primarily reproduced by cuttings it would be patent-able. If said hemp breed were reproduced via seeds, then you’d need to use the Plant Variety Protection Act of 1970 which allows very similar legal protections.
Poplars are probably the best way to get a lot of biomass quickly. I doubt hemp is a competitive alternative.
And they’re not engineering a new species of tree, they just modified the trees to reduce the lignin content so the cellulose can be processed easier and less resource intense.
Trees provide habitat for wildlife, can grow in areas less conducive to farming, and require little to no care after planting.
While what you’re saying is generally true about trees, they’re creating poplars for the paper industry. They will grow in big monocultures and get mowed down after just a decade. That’s pretty much worthless as an ecosystem.
They’re grown in a similar way for biomass for the energy sector. Poplars are probably the easiest way to build up a lot of biomass.
