The Morton Arb

Saturdays & Sundays
9-11 a.m.
The Ginkgo Restaurant

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Vanishing Acts: Trees Under Threat Exhibit
Sept 2, 2011–Sept 2, 2012
7 a.m.-sunset
Conifer Collection 

A new outdoor exhibit shows that trees that we know and love are endangered in the wild. By protecting them, we help ourselves and the entire planet.

Just a few examples of the trees you'll learn about at Vanishing Acts:

Wild Apple. Apple pie. An apple for the teacher. An apple a day keeps the doctor away. The apple's delicious sweetness anchors our American traditions. The world's last remaining wild apple trees are being cut down to make room for houses.

Fraser Fir. At Christmas time, many enjoy Fraser fir's soft, fragrant foliage and perfect shape. A non-native insect has killed up to 95 percent of wild Fraser firs growing in the Appalachians.

Pacific Yew. Many cancer survivors and their families can thank the Pacific yew tree for a cancer-fighting compound discovered in its bark. Wild Pacific yews are recovering from overharvesting after the discovery.

"To save trees, we can accomplish more together than we can individually," says Gerard Donnelly, President and CEO of The Morton Arboretum. "With 8,000 endangered tree species worldwide, it's a huge issue with a direct link to climate change and other factors affecting the health of plants, people, and the planet."

Vanishing Acts was developed by The Morton Arboretum and will be shown here through September 2012 and will also tour nationally.

The Vanishing Acts exhibit is located in the Conifer Collection, just a short stroll off the Conifer Walk.

Come make a day of it by walking the .25 mile exhibit loop and then experiencing the outstanding autumn colors of our 4,100 kinds of trees from around the world.

Want to learn more about endangered trees?  Here are some suggested programs that may interest you:

This traveling exhibit is organized and circulated by The Morton Arboretum, in partnership with the Global Trees Campaign, and made possible by a grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services.

The Arboretum wishes to thank the following Contributing Sponsor of Vanishing Acts: Trees Under Threat

Something new has sprouted at Yorktown Center! It's our nature-themed "Morton Arboretum Adventure Treehouse" for children! Located at Grand Court inside the shopping center, our innovative 1,000 square-foot indoor play center invites kids to discover more about trees and nature through play and exploration. The play area boasts frogs, flowers, and acorns for climbing and education factoids for learning.

Bicycling is good for your health and good for the environment, too! Take advantage of this opportunity to explore our expansive grounds in an up close way.

Bike rentals Beginning May 1-mid October, daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Free Guided Bike Tours
Fridays, May 4-September 28 (weather permitting)
10-11 a.m.
Every Fridays, bring your own bike or rent one of ours and enjoy a FREE guided bike tours. Tours will highlight Arboretum plant collections.  Ages 10 and up Free Guided Bike Tours May Meet in Parking Lot 1 near bike rental trailer.

"Auto-free" Zone
Bring your own bicycle and ride through the Arboretum's East Side
May 4-September 9
Fridays: 5:30 p.m.-sunset
Saturday & Sundays: 7-9 a.m.
Enjoy bicycling in an "auto-free" zone. (Weather permitting)

Look for bike racks at the Visitor Center, Big Rock and Prairie Visitor Stations, Administration & Research Center, Thornhill Education Center, and near the Gatehouses at the main entrance. Lock your bike at any of these racks, and see more of nature’s beauty by enjoying a walk on our trails, or into our gardens.

Maximize your bicycling experience by reading our Bicycling Guidelines before you visit.