The Morton Arboretum

At The Morton Arboretum, we believe everyone should have the chance to connect with nature—and the benefits of trees. With your year-end donation, we can help break down barriers to outdoor access for local communities, offering programs that connect families and children to green spaces. From educational partnerships to urban gardening projects, your support strengthens our efforts to ensure trees and people thrive together. Donate today and make a lasting impact before December 31: bit.ly/3Zck9Xa. #MortonArboretum #CommunityImpact #NatureForAll

Exciting times at the Arboretum’s first-ever Graduate Student and Postdoc Research Symposium! This week, we celebrated the next generation of tree science leaders as they shared amazing talks on fungi, roots, and the evolution and conservation of oaks, including the endangered arroyo oak (Quercus brandegeei). Pictured from left to right: Ryo Nakahata, Nicholas Medina, Kelsey Patrick, Ash Hamilton, and Rebekah Mohn. #TreeScience #ResearchSymposium #Conservation #STEM #MortonArboretum

Do you have a live Christmas tree? The Arboretum’s Plant Clinic recommends planning ahead for when it's time to dispose of it. A dry tree can pose serious fire risks, so you want to discard it once it starts to show signs of drying out. Consider recycling it at a designated facility, or leaving it in your yard to benefit wildlife. For more tree disposal tips: bit.ly/4eZVGdq The Plant Clinic is generously sponsored by Bartlett Tree Experts. #ChristmasTrees #ChristmasTreeCare #Trees #Recycle #MortonArboretum

Exciting opportunity for recent grads! The Rare Plant RaMP (Research & Mentoring for Post-baccalaureates in Biological Sciences) program at the Arboretum offers a unique chance to dive into plant research and conservation alongside scientists. Current cohort member Angie Wang (pictured) helped identify new populations of the endangered oak species Quercus brandegeei in Baja California Sur, Mexico. Applications are open until March 14 for the next cohort (August 2025 - July 2026). Apply today: bit.ly/49y7UJv #RarePlantRaMP #TreeChampions #Biodiversity #STEM #PlantResearch #MortonArboretum

On this day in 1922, Joy Morton turned his dream into a reality by creating The Morton Arboretum—a magnificent outdoor museum of trees! We proudly continue his legacy today as a leading botanical garden and center for tree science. Join us in championing a greener, healthier world where people and trees thrive together! #MortonArboretum

Exciting advancements in tree conservation! The Arboretum's Global Tree Conservation Program, in collaboration with its partners, is using drone technology to reveal hidden tree populations in remote and hard-to-reach areas. With aerial imagery, the team is able to locate the endangered Quercus brandegeei in Baja California Sur, Mexico. Our dedicated team includes (first image, from left):  ▪️Drone expert Anjin Chang, research associate professor at Tennessee State University ▪️Daniel Pérez Morales and Christian Silva Bejarano, GTCP collaborators in Mexico from Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste S.C. ▪️Kate Good, Arboretum global tree conservation research program manager ▪️Angie Wang, Arboretum global tree conservation research aide with the Rare Plant RaMP (Research & Mentoring for Post-baccalaureates in Biological Sciences) program Angie is one of eight Rare Plant RaMP mentees dispersed across four U.S. botanic gardens: the Arboretum, Atlanta Botanical Garden, California Botanic Garden, and San Diego Botanic Garden. #RarePlantRaMP #Conservation #TreeConservation #GlobalConservation #Biodiversity #OakTrees #DroneTechnology Drone aerial images: Anjin Chang

Mexico is the ultimate hotspot for oak diversity, with over 160 species of oak trees (genus Quercus) calling it home! Join us as an Arboretum expert dives into the vital role these majestic giants play in our ecosystems and why studying them is key to preserving our planet’s precious biodiversity. #Oaks #OakTrees #Trees #Mexico #TreeScience #Herbarium

Are you an undergraduate student seeking a transformative summer internship at the Arboretum? Apply now for our Center for Tree Science's Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program! Work on impactful tree science projects exploring solutions for climate change, biodiversity loss, natural resources management, and urban life. Applications are open until Jan. 31. Learn more and apply: bit.ly/49lcp9S #TreeChampion #SummerInternship #UndergraduateResearch #TreeScience #STEM #Conservation #Biodiversity #ClimateChange

Join Andrew Hipp, PhD, the Arboretum’s Herbarium director and senior scientist in plant systematics, for a fascinating Feb. 15 discussion on his new book "Oak Origins: From Acorns to Species and the Tree of Life." He’ll take participants on a journey through 50 million years of oak evolution. From their beginnings in the once-warm Arctic forests to today’s diverse habitats, oaks offer crucial insights into biodiversity and the future of our forests. Purchase Dr. Hipp’s book, published by the University of Chicago Press, at The Arboretum Store or during the event, which will include a book signing. To learn more and sign up: bit.ly/4i9EFAr #Oaks #OakTrees #Trees #Evolution #Biodiversity #MortonArboretum

Everyone deserves the benefits of trees. This Giving Tuesday, support The Morton Arboretum’s efforts to create healthy, resilient communities in Chicago and beyond through nature, education, and partnerships. From connecting under-resourced children to nature in the Children’s Garden, to leading community workdays in local gardens, to supporting cultural programs, your gift grows a greener, healthier future. Donate now: https://bit.ly/3Zck9Xa. #GivingTuesday #MortonArboretum #CommunityImpact #NatureForAll