The Morton Arb

Trees & Gardens

Use our Interactive Collections Map and our Plant Collections Map to identify where plants are located on our grounds.

Explore our Plant Database

Integrated data of The Morton Arboretum's living collections, herbarium, interactive collections map, and photographs. Search database

How Plants are Named
The words in the scientific name of a plant all mean something. Learn how plants get such interesting names. Click here

How To Read a Plant Label at the Arboretum

Taxonomic Groups

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The Conifer Collection

This collection shows the incredible diversity of coniferous species, highlighting dramatic differences in foliage density, shape, color, size, and growth form; contrasts in bark texture and color; and variety of cone shape and color.

Conifer Collection at The Morton ArboretumConifers are incredibly important throughout the world's landscapes. The Conifer Collection displays the immense diversity among the many conifers that can grow in our region. Coniferous trees, trees that bear cones, exist in many forms besides the archetypal Christmas tree, with its pyramidal form and dark green evergreen needles. Plants in this collection can be trees or shrubs, large or small, have dark green to blue to lime green foliage; and needles that can be long and pointed, or short and scale-like. Conifers can have a columnar or rounded shape, can be low-growing shrubs, or giants piercing the sky.

This incredible diversity has been beautifully displayed across the 22 acres. The newly constructed Conifer Walk is a great way to explore this collection. Plants are grouped by family, to facilitate the understanding of the unique features in each member. As you walk the trail you will encounter: cypress family (including Juniperus, Cupressus, Chamaecyparis, and Thuja), pine family (Tsuga, Picea, Pinus, Pseudotsuga, Abies, and Larix), ginkgo family (Ginkgo), and yew family (Taxus and Cephalotaxus ). Our Garden Conifer Collection is in a large bed south of the Conifer Walk. The trail begins next to the Hedge Garden, and can also be reached by walking south on the sidewalk between the Children's and Maze Gardens.

Explore the Conifer Walk to see what conifers might capture your interest. It is an enjoyable walk and a special treat in the wintertime. Make sure to venture off the trail to get a closer look at trees that interest you. It will truly amaze you to see the great diversity of the conifers.