The cellulose–lignin balance mediated by auxin signal transduction affects the twisted growth of Yunnan pine trunk

•Through a diallel cross experiment, we determined that trunk twisting was controlled by recessive genes.•Auxin signal transduction, photosynthetic carbon fixation and sucrose metabolism with significant enrichment are involved in twisty pines.•Auxin signal transduction affects cellulose–lignin balance, causing the twisted growth of trunk.