A new study from Umeå University has revealed that trees' circadian clocks guide their growth and the timing of seasonal events like the appearance of leaves in spring. The researchers investigated the growth of genetically modified poplars in greenhouse and field conditions, combining statistical learning and plant biology methods. Their findings, published in npj Biological Timing and Sleep, suggest that adjusting clock-associated genes could help trees better synchronize with changing climates, offering new opportunities for forestry.