Transgenic poplar trees expressing yeast cadmium factor 1 exhibit the characteristics necessary for the phytoremediation of mine tailing soil

► We introduced a heavy metal resistance gene, ScYCF1, into poplar. ► The transgenic poplar was tested in soil taken from a closed mine site. ► The transgenic poplar exhibited enhanced growth and reduced toxicity symptoms. ► The transgenic poplar accumulated more heavy metal(loid)s than the wild type in mine soil.