Efficient plant regeneration and genetic transformation system of the precious fast-growing tree Toona ciliata

•The regeneration and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation ability of Toona ciliata tissues was further explored, which optimized many factors for their efficiency.•The regeneration ability of Toona ciliata tissues is affected by not only the composition of the culture medium, but also the age, position and genotype of leaves as explants.•Acetosyringone had significant effects on genetic transformation of Toona ciliata.•Transformed plants of Toona ciliata can be obtained after about 3 months.