The present invention relates to a method for transforming and selecting plant explants. The transformation method includes pre-culturing the explants in the presence of an Agrobacterium inducer and exposing the transformed explants to a shoot regeneration media that accelerates shoot development. Plants generated from this transformation method are provided. In particular, methods for obtaining transgenic E. urophylla and E. saligna cells and therefrom regenerating stably transformed E. urophylla and E. saligna trees are provided. The invention also provides media, methods, and plasmids for selecting and regenerating plants.