North America and Asia share similar climatic conditions, hold many of the same plant types, and have strong scientific and garden communities dedicated to botany and species conservation. This project works to leverage these similarities and resources to cultivate collaborations that will result in new knowledge about how to protect threatened tree species on both continents.

As valuable biodiversity hotspots, China and Southeast Asia are home to some of the most endangered tree species. This region faces many challenges to its endemic tree diversity, such as rapid and extensive industrialization, population growth, intensive agriculture, overharvesting of timber, and climate change. Through strategic collaborations, The Morton Arboretum works to advance the conservation and research of rare and endangered trees in Asia, especially in Southeast Asia.