Fall 2004
Morton Arboretum
DuPage County, Illinois |
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by Thomas Bentley
Birds and people flock to The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, in all seasons — for berries, beauty, and the bright array of colors, especially in spring and fall.
Fourteen miles of hiking trails and nine miles of paved roads meander past lakes, over hills, and through serene, park-like fields and woods. The arboretum's 1,700 acres harbor world-renowned tree and shrub collections from 59 countries, arranged primarily by region (the Appalachia or Korea Collections, for example) and tree family (local and non-local species of maple, linden, and pine, among many others). Joy Morton, founder of the Morton Salt Company and son of the founder of Arbor Day, established the arboretum in 1922 to promote conservation and understanding of the world's trees and plants.
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Schulenberg Prairie. Photo by Ron Dahlborg. |
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Though much of its land is occupied by manicured landscaping and species collected globally, the arboretum also devotes considerable space to local plants. Indeed, it has made significant contributions to the science and art of restoring native landscapes. In 1962, Ray Schulenberg accepted the challenge of creating a prairie ecosystem in a newly acquired parcel of land. The project started small — with a single acre in the southwest corner of the arboretum — but has now grown to 100 acres. His "prairie planting" includes a tallgrass mesic prairie, wet prairie, oak savanna, and Willoway Brook, a restored prairie stream.
On this proving ground, Schulenberg learned that one can't simply seed an area and pray for a prairie; instead, one must invest countless hours in seed harvesting, weeding, growing and propagating of plants, as well as continuously studying the individual species. Schulenberg's dream continues to flourish thanks to a group of dedicated volunteers. [To volunteer, call (630) 719-2443.]
The new Schulenberg Prairie Visitor Station provides historical background on the prairies and settlers of Illinois, as well as access to the prairie via the Acre Trail. Visitors can also follow the Prairie Trail from Parking Area 25 into the heart of the grassland. In the fall, big and little bluestem, Indian grass, switch grass, and cord grass can grow more than six feet tall, making the prairie trails feel like a maze. Interspersed among the grasses, attentive visitors may find four species of gentians and the yellow splash of many goldenrods. And don't forget to look for the vibrant asters: smooth, sky blue, heath, New England, and silky.
Along Main Trail Loop 1, the Midwest Collection features 100 acres of regional flora. One highlight is the Northern Illinois Collection, with many oak and hickory species. Beginning in the 1970s, arboretum staff collected seeds from the surrounding counties, then germinated and planted them. Many trees bear ID tags, so visitors can hone (or begin developing) their tree ID skills.
Spring may be the most vibrant time in the East Woods, when ephemeral flowers carpet the forest floor. Fall, however, reveals a colorful show of changing leaves in this mesic, mature woodland dominated by black, bur, red, and white oaks.
Just east of Meadow Lake, the Rare Plant Collection re-creates rare dolomite and gravel prairie ecosystems, part of the arboretum's research on endangered and threatened plant species. The collection includes lakeside daisy, leafy prairie clover, kitten tails, eared false foxglove, Cooper's milk vetch, and early fen sedge, all native plants that most people are unlikely to see elsewhere.
Overlooking the restored Meadow Lake near the arboretum's entrance, a new state-of-the-art visitor center features an environmentally friendly parking area with "bioswales" that collect and clean runoff water. Stop here before touring the grounds, attending one of the arboretum's many classes and events, or conducting research at the Sterling Morton Library. Or get directions to the site's many other curiosities, including the one-and-only Illinois Millennium Landmark Tree, the innovative tree houses spread throughout the park (through September 26), the "wild garden," and the turf maze.
Morton Arboretum admission is $5, with discounts for seniors and children. Call (630) 719-2400 for more information.
Roaming
For those looking to explore nearby, the Danada and Herrick Lake Forest Preserves, 1,600 acres immediately to the west, provide more than nine miles of multi-purpose trails through scenic prairie and woodland.
Several miles north, in Glen Ellyn, the Willowbrook Wildlife Center cares for injured and orphaned wildlife, offering the public an excellent opportunity to view native animals up close. Call (630) 942-6200.
Belmont Prairie Nature Preserve, a few miles to the southeast in Downers Grove, is a ten-acre high-quality prairie remnant known for its high forb diversity.
Foraging
Located in the new visitor center, Ginkgo Café, (630) 719-2457, has fresh salads, grilled sandwiches, and Mediterranean dishes. Available outdoor seating overlooks Meadow Lake.
A popular sandwich shop in Lisle is The Upper Crust, 1045 Burlington Avenue, (630) 322-8282. Down the road in Downers Grove, try Carlucci at 1801 Butterfield Road, (630) 512-0990, which serves some of the best Italian food in the suburbs.
For the best French bistro in the suburbs, according to the Chicago Tribune, head over to Bistro Banlieue at Highland Avenue and Butterfield Road in Lombard, (630) 629-6560.
Bedding Down
Many convenient lodging options are located just around the corner in Lisle, including the Hickory Ridge Marriott, (888) 644-2567; Hilton Lisle, (800) 472-1003; Hyatt Hotel (800) 614-4520; and the Wyndham Lisle, (630) 505-1000. All four offer special arboretum packages ranging from $85 to $109.
For overnight camping, Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville has 60 wooded sites available, weekends only, through the end of September. Call (630) 933-7200 for reservations.
Events
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Prairie Heritage Days. September 25–26, 1–3:30 p.m. at the Prairie Visitor Station. Kids can explore Schulenberg Prairie with a costumed schoolmarm.
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Theatre-Hikes. See plays performed in natural arboretum settings. "Quilters": September 11, 12, 18, 19, and "Sleepy Hollow": October 9, 10, 11, 16, 17. All shows 1 p.m. $17 for non-members (includes entrance fee) and $10 for members. For tickets, call (630) 968-0074.
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Fall Color Festival. October 1–31, every weekend at the arboretum. Includes foliage walks, hand-dipped taffy apples, pumpkin decorating, a scarecrow trail, and a corn maze.
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