Arbor Day - Every Tree Counts

Celebrate Arbor Day, April 29, 2011, at the original home of all things green – The Morton Arboretum – and discover why every tree counts. 

“Arbor Day is not like other holidays. Each of those reposes on the past, while Arbor Day proposes for the future.” said J. Sterling Morton, Arbor Day founder.

J. Sterling Morton, the father of Joy Morton, founder of The Morton Arboretum, understood the value of trees. And this year, more than 500 trees in high-traffic areas of downtown Chicago, Yorktown Mall, and at The Morton Arboretum prove their worth by donning Value Tags on Arbor Day. These tags, totaling a value of $620,005, show people the value that trees provide in everyday life. The most valuable tree tagged at the Arboretum is an American Elm, valued at $4,988.

The ‘Every Tree Counts’ message continues at The Morton Arboretum with a fun-filled weekend of events.

Curious George is hanging out at the Arboretum Store greeting little and big tree-huggers before leading the procession to the “Arbor Day Tree Planting” by Meadow Lake. After helping plant a tree, families can find a grassy patch to hear Arboretum tree scientist and children’s’ book author Dr. Andrew Hipp tell the story of “Curious George Plants A Tree” with the help of Curious George.  Curious George is around from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and tree planting is at 11 a.m.

A visit to the Children’s Garden offers bunches of tree-loving activities the whole weekend. Kids can plant seeds, play with tree cookies and go on a hunt for unique trees in the “Arbor Day in the Children’s Garden” self-guided discovery activity from April 29 to May 1 between 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Introduce kids to the importance of recycling with the games and crafts of “Treasures from Trash.” This self-guided activity is available weekdays in April from 1 to 4 p.m. On the weekend from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., learn why “We (heart) Trees!” See some of the wonderful products that trees give us. Kids will make a recycled plant container and plant a tree seed to take home to watch grow. All activities are weather permitting.

For the older nature-loving crowd, head over to the Arbor Day Plant Sale!  Support your local Arboretum while choosing from more than 350 plant selections under a 10,000 square-foot tent. Pick from old favorites and recently introduced hybrids ideal for Chicago-area gardens and Proven Winners® of the Chicagoland Grows® section to create a one-of-a-kind landscape. From shade-loving plants to tasty edibles, this sale offers plants you can’t find in traditional garden centers. Arboretum experts are on-site to help enhance your yard, patio or apartment balcony and get help loading up your car with newly acquired purchases. Times for April 30 are noon to 4 p.m. and May 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Feel the soil in your hands! Spend time with family or friends planting trees and shrubs from China in the Arboretum’s collections on April 30 from 10 a.m. to noon. You’ll discover why trees from Asia need to grow in Illinois and about the Arboretum’s plant explorations. This “Arbor Day Tree Planting” opportunity is free with admission. Advance registration is required. Please call 630-719-2468 or visit www.mortonarb.org/education under Youth and Family. Recommended for ages 8 and older.  

The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized 1,700-acre outdoor museum with collections of 4,128 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.