Tree identification is a useful skill that can deepen your connection with nature. Get to know the common trees you see in local preserves or in your neighborhood in this single-session class at The Morton Arboretum! You will learn how to identify a tree by:
- Recognizing characteristics such as leaves, bark, branches, flowers, and fruit
- Using tree identification keys and field guides
- Closely observing your natural surroundings
Although the concepts you will learn can be applied to identifying trees in any region, this course will focus on examples of common trees in Illinois and the Midwest.
This program meets in person at The Morton Arboretum. If you’d like to learn from home, please check out the self-paced online course, Basic Tree ID (on demand).
Instructor: Kelly Burns, education program guide, The Morton Arboretum; Lyn Myers, education program guide, The Morton Arboretum; Levi O’Brien, educator
Continuing education: This class fulfills a requirement for the Natural Areas Conservation Training (N-ACT) Program. This program also provides educators with continuing professional development hours (CPDH).
Age: 16 and older
Course number: N142
Instructor
Kelly Burns, education program guide, The Morton Arboretum
Kelly Burns has been teaching at The Morton Arboretum since 2014. After earning a biology degree in 1995, she has enjoyed a wide variety of jobs: bat researcher, merit badge counselor, animal keeper, and teacher. She draws upon her experience and passion to help her audience understand and appreciate the natural world.
Lyn Myers, education program guide, The Morton Arboretum
Building on a lifelong connection to the outdoors, Lyn Myers has been working as an educator at The Morton Arboretum since 2005, working primarily with school-age children. She also works with adult programming, scouting groups, and summer campers as an Arboretum Summer Science Camp coordinator. She became a Certified Interpretive Guide in 2017, further refining her efforts to create enriching and engaging nature experiences for all audiences. When she’s not mentoring new staff, wrangling summer campers, hiking, canoeing, or reading, you can find her digging in her garden or tending her backyard beehive.
Levi O’Brien, educator
Levi O’Brien is a garden and arborist consultant, an expert on all things tree and wood related, and above all, an educator. He is a faculty instructor at the New York Botanic Garden and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and spends most of his time avidly pursuing knowledge about horticulture, ecology, arboriculture, and wood history, structure, and use, in order to make it available to the public.
What to Know
This program is held mostly outdoors. Please dress for the weather.
Wear comfortable shoes, and be prepared to walk up to two miles on uneven terrain.
Bring materials for taking notes, water, and sun and insect protection.
See Education Program Policies for information about cancellations, refunds, and scholarships.
Continuing Education
This class fulfills a requirement for the Natural Areas Conservation Training (N-ACT) Program.
This program provides educators with continuing professional development hours (CPDH).
Program Schedule
Thursday, September 10, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Thornhill Education Center (parking lot P-21), West Side
Saturday, October 3, 2026, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Thornhill Education Center (parking lot P-21), West Side
Levi O’Brien
Saturday, October 17, 2026, 9:30 to noon
Thornhill Education Center (parking lot P-21), West Side
Lyn Myers
Thursday, November 5, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Thornhill Education Center (parking lot P-21), West Side
Kelly Burns
