The Morton Arboretum, Lisle

About The Morton Arboretum

The Gateway to Tree Science is an interactive outdoor exhibit at The Morton Arboretum that demonstrates the institution's tree research through living trees and informative displays. Visitors walk a half-mile wood-chipped trail featuring over 170 newly planted trees and shrubs near the Arboretum's Oak Collection, where they observe real-time demonstrations on tree biology and function. The exhibit includes five main sections addressing specific topics: Choosing the Right Tree explains species selection based on site conditions and ecosystem benefits; Caring for Urban Trees covers pruning techniques and branch support methods; Addressing the Challenges of Urban Soils explores transplanting stress and poor soil issues; Cultivating Resilient Trees showcases hybrid selections from the Chicagoland Grows program; and Laying the Groundwork reveals current conservation research protecting endangered trees worldwide. The trail begins at Parking Lot 8 on the East Side and suits professionals, homeowners, and students seeking practical tree care knowledge grounded in decades of scientific study. The exhibit is located in Lisle, Illinois.