The Morton Arb

Trees & Gardens

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

Ed: Arboretum Color Scout

Color Scout Ed HedbornEd Hedborn, Plant Records Manager and Arboretum Color Scout, has a wealth of knowledge about the Arboretum's living plant collections. Since 1977, he has collected, recorded, documented, planted, labeled, placed, and studied thousands of trees and other plants on the Arboretum's 1,700 acres. So when it comes to knowing about fall foliage, signs of spring, plants in bloom, and things that have gone to seed, well, Ed's the one to know!

With a Master of Science in Biology degree from Northeastern Illinois University and a Bachelor of Arts from North Central College, Ed believes in sharing his knowledge. Want to know why leaves turn color? Read Ed's explanation on this website. Ed teaches classes for the Arboretum Education Program and the Associate College of the Chicago Area (ACCA) and has been active as a scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America. When Ed is not focused on plants, you can catch him bicycling, carving wood, taking photos, or reading.