Fall Color Beauty Begins at The Morton Arboretum

"I look forward to this every year; I never get tired of seeing this beauty," says Ed Hedborn, Arboretum botanist and so-called "Color Scout" who tracks the Arboretum trees' color changes through mid-November.

The traditional leaders-of-the-pack, the sumacs, are changing into their characteristic bright reds; while buckeyes are turning reddish-brown. Elm trees have begun to turn yellow, and the hackberries' green is morphing into yellow. Even trees that have not yet turned are sporting impressive, colorful beauty as blazing-red Virginia creeper climbs their trunks.

In the botanical world's version of the United Nations, the Arboretum's trees from 40 countries create perhaps the most unique autumnal display in the Midwest. Where else could one find beeches native to Crimea, zelkovas native to Azerbaijan, corktrees native to China, hornbeams native to Europe and Iran, and a large selection of maples native to Europe, Korea, China, and Japan? They're all in one, 1,700 acre tree museum, waiting to be admired!

Exotic versions of maples are not like their U.S counterparts. "They have reds, oranges, and coppery hues that the North American sugar maple doesn't have," Hedborn says.

Families should plan several trips to the Arboretum. With such botanical diversity, something is always "peaking" every week.

"The wide variety of species extends the length of the color season and provides a greater variety of colors," 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.

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, on Twitter at MortonArb, and on flickr.

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, including a fascinating exhibition of photographs called The Birth of Coffee, wine tasting, pumpkin decorating, taffy apples, and the perennial favorite Scarecrow Trail. Rounding out the month is Trick or Trees on October 24-25, featuring youngsters in costume trick or treating in the Children's Garden, getting "lost" in the Haunted Maze, and more.

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; 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. Central Time until sunset. 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
Allison Phelps, (office) 630-719-5768, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it