Will 2023’s extreme weather impact Chicago-area fall leaf color?
The Morton Arboretum scientists share what to expect during Fall Color Festival

The latest announcements and press releases
from The Morton Arboretum
The Morton Arboretum scientists share what to expect during Fall Color Festival
The funding is part of a historic $1 billion investment to boost the nation’s urban tree cover in communities nationwide
The Morton Arboretum’s Vice President of Science and Conservation was honored among Crain’s Chicago Business 2023 Notable Women in STEM, presented in its Sept. 4 edition
Highlighting cultural programs, Celebración de los Árboles festival, and tree conservation programs
Among 'best in U.S.' holiday lights to feature new route, immersive displays, and ADA accessible path
Since 1993, the Landscape Below Ground conferences have become renowned forums for sharing the latest research and management practices on all elements of tree root development in urban soils
To help keep trees and all plants healthy through this dry spell, Arboretum experts are urging homeowners and others to water trees and plants more often than usual
Environmental artist Olga Ziemska uses trees to express “we are nature” philosophy
How to help combat them during Illinois Invasive Species Awareness Month and beyond
Spearheading a coalition to increase equitable tree planting in under-resourced areas
Researchers will study the effects of drought on urban trees and develop more effective drought response strategies
Andrew L. Hipp, Ph.D., Herbarium Director and Senior Scientist in Plant Systematics at The Morton Arboretum, has received a Fulbright Specialist Program award
Forest ecologist at The Morton Arboretum explains complexities of predicting bloom times
The IUCN Species Survival Commission recognizes just eleven Centers on the planet
Largest exhibition to date for sculptor Olga Ziemska
Six new features make it most spectacular to date
Solar installation expected to meet 100% of institution’s energy needs
Selection based solely on employee feedback gathered through anonymous third-party survey
Arboretum scientists study why leaves change color amid Fall Color Festival events
The Morton Arboretum celebrates the opening of The Gerard T. Donnelly Grand Garden
Major garden feature celebrates the Arboretum’s 100th anniversary
Fourth top leader in the organization’s first century, first woman
The 10th year of Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum includes a new Electric Illumination late-nights feature and dazzling Grand Garden finale
About 1-in-9 U.S. tree species are threatened with extinction
Botanical researchers representing a coalition of more than 10 institutions have discovered an oak tree once thought to be extinct
South African artist Daniel Popper’s largest exhibition in the world is getting even bigger with three new sculptures joining the original five.
Centennial Tree Planting Initiative kicks off on Earth Day
New research examines the emergent dynamics of ancient trees in a rapidly changing climate
The Tree Heritage Park in Ibadan, Nigeria, became the 500th arboretum to be accredited
From The Morton Arboretum Plant Clinic experts
Yearlong celebration includes new Human+Nature sculptures, planting 1,000 trees
Five new light displays and world music featured
Selection based on employee feedback from anonymous third-party survey
Chicago-area summer drought could cause some trees to change color early, vary in brilliance
The Morton Arboretum announced today that Gerard T. Donnelly, Ph.D., will retire as president and CEO on September 30, 2022. Donnelly has served in his role since 1990.
Five new features and special Human+Nature display
One in three trees worldwide are facing extinction, with human use among the greatest threats, according to the first State of the World’s Trees report.
Major garden feature to be a central attraction.
The burgeoning field of macrogenetics is the focus of a new review published in Nature Reviews Genetics by a global, multidisciplinary team of researchers seeking to better answer fundamental biodiversity questions.
Private landowners lost hundreds of trees during a tornado that struck the Western suburbs of Chicago on June 20, 2021, and The Morton Arboretum is working to replace up to 300 of them as part of its Centennial Tree Planting Initiative in 2022.
The new partnership will advance the conservation of threatened trees in the United States, with a special focus on native oak species.
Art installation amplifies importance of tree museum’s mission. Five large-scale sculptures now enhance the landscapes at The Morton Arboretum as its newest outdoor art exhibition, Human+Nature, prepares to open May 28.
The first major U.S. exhibition by renowned South African artist Daniel Popper, and his largest exhibition to date anywhere in the world.
Research will guide tree planting and care for under-resourced communities.
The world is experiencing a sixth global mass extinction event, and botanical gardens are uniquely positioned to preserve the world’s plant diversity.
The Morton Arboretum’s horticulturists are calling on homeowners and land managers in the Chicago region to remove the invasive plant species.
An estimated 31% of the world’s oak species are threatened with extinction according to The Red List of Oaks 2020.
Central America is one of the most diverse floristic regions in the world, but a lack of comprehensive plant records and knowledge of its endangered, endemic tree species impedes conservation work.
In a groundbreaking study, an international team of 21 scientists led by The Morton Arboretum helps understand how much genetic diversity currently exists in collections in botanical gardens and arboreta worldwide.