WAIMANALO, Hawaii -- Groundbreaking research is under way in Waimanalo, and scientists involved in the project said their work could give a boost to the landscaping industry by producing sterile trees.

Anyone can go to a store and buy plants that are considered to be invasive species, and under certain conditions, experts said they can do damage to the environment.

For several years now, however, Ken Leonhardt said he has been playing around with plant chromosomes in hopes of producing trees that don't produce fruit or seeds.

"The growers have told me they would love to have seedless forms of this, and I'm on my way of doing it," Leonhardt said.

The landscapers wish list of showy trees included some that produce seed pods so large that they could be hazardous.

"There are a lot of trees that aren't used because they produce prolific amounts of seed pods that fall into rain gutters, and they fall into the lawn and have to be raked up," Leonhardt said.

Leonhardt stressed that his research is different than genetically modified crops which try and cross different types of genes.

"There are no foreign genes and chromosomes in these. We are working in with the plants own genetic material -- just doubling it in this case," he said.

Leonhardt said he believes he is one step away from producing the sterile plants, which he said will actually flower more profusely and for longer periods.

Leonhardt said he is working with eight different species, including shower trees, monkey pods and African tulip trees.

He said similar research is under way across the world.

Leonhardt said he is looking forward to the next flowering season to advance his work.

If he is successful, he said he hopes to be able to bring the product to market in a few more years.