Forest and tree resources are managed in different types of systems that are characterized by varying management intensity and range from primary natural forests to productive industrial plantations. A number of factors shape global opportunity, condition investment decisions and drive research priorities for forest biotechnology - they also underline important ways in which uses of biotechnologies in forestry differ from crops or livestock. This document evaluates the use of forest biotechnologies in developing countries, and considers the extent of their current use, the reasons for their success or failure in the past, emerging challenges and future options both for developing countries and for the international community.