A World of Fall Color All in One Place

Brilliant Trees From 40 Countries Create Unique Experience at The Morton Arboretum

LISLE, IL (July 28, 2009) - Nature's autumn rainbow of botanical beauty at The Morton Arboretum is an experience like none other, where trees from 40 countries are like a world of fall color all in one place.

"Fall colors at the Arboretum can be especially impressive because of the wide variety of trees and other plants from around the world," says Ed Hedborn, Arboretum botanist and "Color Scout" who chronicles the changes in colors week by week.

Vibrant, rich, stunning colors abound on the 1,700 acres amid the lush foliage. It's the perfect autumn staycation-a lot of color that won't cost a lot of green to experience. The Midwest's premiere fall color show unfolds in three "acts."

During "Act One," in late September, expect the showiest performers to be red sumacs and purple-red flowering dogwoods, the lovely yellows of Asian birch, several species of Asian sumac, black walnut, Carpathian walnut, and buckeyes with their rust-like gold.

Around mid-October, in "Act Two," the "kings" of fall color, the maples, delight us with their striking golds, reds, and oranges. The Arboretum features 134 different kinds of maples from around the world with 76 different kinds in the Maple Collection alone. Also stealing the spotlight are the ginkgo trees, with megawatt yellow leaves that are nothing short of radiant, while corktrees, black maples and larches round out the palette with varying shades of yellow. Sweet gums usually bring orangey-red hues.

In "Act Three," starting late October into November, mighty oaks bring rich purples and reds to center stage while Callery pear and Chinese Mountain-ash fill a colorful supporting role.

Families should plan several trips to the Arboretum, to see all three "acts" of the show.

"The wide variety of species extends the length of the color season and the variety of colors that visitors can enjoy," Hedborn says.

Guests can see it all by hiking the 16 miles of trails, bicycling or driving the nine miles of Arboretum roads, or hopping aboard an Arboretum tram where they sit back and take in the gorgeous vistas.

Beyond the leaves are the showy red fruits of our native hollies. Even after the leaves drop, these fruits can be brought inside for stunning accents in tabletop arrangements.

It's not just the woodlands that put on a dazzling display. The 100-acre Schulenberg Prairie will be a treat with fall color flowers and rich, autumn-colored grasses.

Hedborn reports his weekly color findings at www.mortonarb.org/colorupdate, and on the Bloom ‘n Color Hotline, at 630-719-7955. Look for color updates also on the Morton Arboretum Facebook page, and on Twitter at MortonArb.

More than just looking at pretty color, visitors to the Arboretum enhance their experience by observing the descriptive labeling that identify trees, and may find out more about each species, if they wish, in the Sterling Morton Library.

With nature's breathtaking show as a backdrop, the Arboretum presents its Fall Color Festival events for the whole family, including a 5K Run/Walk and Kids' Dash on October 4, followed by a month of art shows, wine tasting, pumpkin decorating, taffy apples, and the perennial favorite Scarecrow Trail.

The Morton Arboretum gratefully acknowledges our sponsors: UPM, the Presenting Sponsor of Fall Color; Bonterra, Featured wine of the Arboretum; ComEd and Edy's Ice Cream, sponsors of Youth and Family Programs for 2008/09; Dick Pond Athletics, Waste Management, and the new Lexus HS 250h Hybrid.

The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized 1,700-acre outdoor museum with collections of 4,117 kinds of trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world. The Arboretum's beautiful natural landscapes, gardens, research and education programs, and year-round family activities support its mission - the planting and conservation of trees and other plants for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. Conveniently located at I-88 and Rte. 53 in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time or sunset, whichever is earlier. The Children's Garden is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., March through October, and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., November through February. Visit Press Room at www.mortonarb.org, call to learn more.

Media Contacts: Gina Tedesco, (office) 630-725-2103, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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