Spend an evening with acclaimed author Robert Moor, known for his New York Times bestselling book On Trails, as he discusses his new book In Trees: An Exploration with the Arboretum’s herbarium director, Dr. Andrew Hipp.
In this lively conversation, Moor and Hipp will explore the wilds of nature and history, and dig into the ideas at the heart of Moor’s new book around how trees can teach us to grow wise. From scaling giant sequoias in California to studying bonsai in Japan and sleeping in a chimpanzee nest in Tanzania, hear about Moor’s adventures and how the miracle of trees might hold the power to break open some of humanity’s oldest questions: What is the secret to truly growing old? How do we set down deeper roots in an increasingly chaotic world? Most importantly, how should we live—as individuals, as communities, and as stewards of the earth?
Books will be available for purchase and a book signing will follow the program.
This program meets in person at the Arboretum.
Speakers: Robert Moor, author of On Trails and In Trees; Andrew Hipp, director of the Herbarium and lead scientist in plant systematics, The Morton Arboretum
Age: 16 and older
Course number: N311
Speakers
Robert Moor, author
Hailed by TheWall Street Journal as a “philosopher on foot,” Robert Moor is the bestselling author of On Trails and now In Trees. Translated into more than a dozen languages, On Trails garnered the National Outdoor Book Award, the Pacific Northwest Book Award, and the William Saroyan International Prize. His writing has appeared in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Harper’s, New York magazine, Outside, Emergence,and n+1, among other publications. He lives in Halfmoon Bay, British Columbia and you can find him online at robertmoor.com.
Andrew Hipp, director of the Herbarium and lead scientist in plant systematics, The Morton Arboretum
Andrew Hipp, PhD, is director of the Herbarium and lead scientist in plant systematics at The Morton Arboretum and a lecturer at University of Chicago. Hipp’s research group investigates the plant tree of life to understand how species have evolved and how they shape our world. He is the author of Oak Origins: From Acorns to Species and the Tree of Life as well as numerous academic articles and book chapters. Learn more about his work on the Arboretum’s Plant Systematics Research Group’s website.
What to Know
This program is held indoors.
Please bring water, materials for taking notes, and a light layer in case the room is chilly.
Books will be available for purchase and a book signing will follow the program.
See Education Program Policies for information about cancellations, refunds, and scholarships.
Program Schedule
Monday, October 19, 2026, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Ginkgo Restaurant, Visitor Center (parking lot P-1), East Side
