The Arboretum’s tree and plant collections are a significant resource for scientific research.
The Morton Arboretum’s living plants and dried herbarium specimens represent one of the most significant collections of cold-hardy trees and shrubs worldwide.
Collections at The Morton Arboretum house biological information on more than 4,300 plant taxa, representing nearly 290,000 live plants and dried herbarium specimens. These collections are a major resource for the community and researchers to understand global plant diversity, what different plant species need to be healthy, grow, and reproduce, and how to conserve plant species and restore plant communities.
Collecting, documenting, studying, and caring for these plants in order to:
Learn more about the third largest arboretum herbarium in North America.
Learn more about the significance of the Arboretum's living collections on-site.
View research projects working towards solutions to the key challenges facing trees.
Access The Morton Arboretum’s database of living plants and herbarium specimens.
Access herbarium specimen data from a network of more than 30 Chicago-area institutions.
Meet the experts who perform collections research at the Arboretum.
The Morton Arboretum works to inspire and support future tree scientists in every stage of their careers through mentorships, fellowships, and other opportunities in science.
Trees need people and people need trees. Support vital scientific research to help trees thrive long into the future.
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