How does Greening get Done?

LISLE, IL (March 12, 2009) - Take your audience on a journey to find out what the experts are doing to help the world "go green." The Morton Arboretum conducts studies on the development, care and selection of trees; shares its knowledge through outreach; presents enjoyable, engaging visitor programs; and provides resources to the public.

Through Research...
An Arboretum expert traveled to China to gather ash seeds, which germinated and produced seedlings in the Arboretum greenhouse. Ultimately, the Arboretum hopes to develop a hybrid of the Chinese and North American ash with resistance strong enough to survive an onslaught of Emerald ash borer beetles. This pest has killed more than 25 million ash trees in 10 states and Canada, and shows no sign of letting up.

Arboretum experts have begun testing a new approach to woodland restoration, having now set up an important 60-acre demonstration project on Arboretum grounds that will "take woodland restoration to the next level." Results will be useful for those managing oak woodlands anywhere in the Midwest.

Arboretum experts are studying the effects of "compost tea." Studies include how teas might impact soil structure and nutrient availability for trees and other plants.

Arboretum experts are testing a dozen promising Asian elm trees that are virtually unknown in the United States. This work is especially timely given the maladies affecting trees across the country, including Dutch elm disease, elm yellows, oak wilt, and Emerald ash borer. These problems underscore the need to seek new species for urban use.

Arboretum experts are studying the biodiversity of sedges, grass-like plants that have grown in popularity among home gardeners and landscape contractors. Sedges build soils, feed animals, enhance biodiversity, and are keystone species in wetlands.

Through Visitor Programs...
The Arboretum's award-winning Children's Garden is one of the largest gardens of its type in America. This four-acre wonderland is unique because it centers the experience on trees, sparking curiosity and imagination about trees and nature. Research shows that positive early experiences in nature foster a lifelong appreciation and respect for living things. Introducing children to the wonders of trees and nature leaves them more inclined to make decisions that protect the environment as adults.

Other engaging activities and offerings include guided walks, spring flowers, autumn colors, Arbor Week Celebrations, Fall Color Festival, Holiday Celebration and more.

Through Outreach...
The Arboretum has been a leader in the fight against Emerald ash borer. Our Community Trees Advocate, a professional arborist, is a member of the governor's Management and Science Advisory Panel that recommends policy on fighting the invasive borer. The advocate program also works with 270 metropolitan communities to find solutions to tree issues ranging from developing municipal tree management plans to public education and more.

An extensive Education Program provides a broader understanding of plants and nature, and ways to improve our world through classes for children and adults, including certificate programs and a botany program with regional colleges. Of approximately 46,500 annual students, 42,400 are children in field trips and youth programs.

The Arboretum Plant Clinic is a free service, answering the public's questions on tree and shrub selection and care, diagnosing problems and recommending solutions. Plant Clinic fielded more than 17 thousand inquiries last year.

Arboretum Resources...
Sterling Morton Library: more than 27,000 volumes on botany, horticulture, natural history, and ecology; 220 periodicals; special collections of 5,100 rare books/periodicals; 1,500 pre-1900 nursery catalogs-with the earliest from the William Prince Nursery in New York dated 1771; and 12,000 botanical artworks (15th-21st centuries).

Herbarium: the largest collection of dried plant specimens from Chicago region flora. Includes 165,000 vascular plant specimens and 19,000 lichens. The Herbarium is open to the public by appointment.

vPlants: a virtual herbarium of the Chicago region: online resources for plants and fungi that provides specimen data, images, and species descriptions.

Plant Health Care Report: helps green industry professionals, educators, and Arboretum staff predict, identify, and manage tree disease and insect pests in northeastern Illinois. Reports are posted bi-weekly from April through August and weekly from May through July. Each report summarizes current tree diseases and insect sightings for northeastern Illinois.

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 www.mortonarb.org, click About, and then Press Room, or call to learn more.

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