Latest news with #Arboretum
Washington Post
20-05-2025
- Washington Post
Tradition and change intertwine to create beauty at a century-old arboretum
OYSTER BAY, N.Y. — Some places seem to communicate with you when you visit. Not audibly, of course, but they somehow impart the echo of a life lived long ago. That's the feeling I get at Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park. The 409-acre remnant of Long Island's grand Gold Coast is one of the region's last surviving estates with its original acreage intact, which is remarkable when you consider how many of its cohorts have been divided up into housing developments or golf courses.
Chicago Tribune
18-05-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Look out for plants that may be problems
The plants in our yards and gardens bring us beauty and joy, but some of them also bring problems. 'A plant can be a problem in a number of different ways,' said Sharon Yiesla, plant knowledge specialist in the Plant Clinic at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle. Many problem plants, mainly trees and shrubs, are called out in the plant information pages of the Arboretum's website ( 'Before you plant anything, check it out to make sure you aren't bringing a danger or a high-maintenance headache to your yard,' she said. We're all familiar with weeds, which take root easily and spread more aggressively than we'd like, and may go places we don't want them or outcompete other plants that we prefer. Some weeds listed on the Arboretum's website are such a problem that they are officially designated in Illinois as 'exotic weeds' or 'noxious weeds.' Invasive plants are another major category. 'An invasive plant is more than just a plant that spreads easily,' Yiesla said. 'It's one that is not native to the area and whose presence negatively impacts, or is likely to impact, ecological, economic or human health.' In natural areas such as forest preserves, national parks, and the Arboretum's restored prairies and woodlands, invasive plants choke out native species and are a major threat to the native ecosystems. May is designated as Invasive Species Awareness Month to call attention to this problem. Exactly which plants are considered invasive varies from place to place, but the Midwest Invasive Plant Network ( and the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States ( have detailed lists of invasive plants. The Arboretum lists some plants as 'potentially invasive,' meaning that in its own woods, prairies, tree collections and garden, the plant has been observed spreading too readily. 'They are plants we are keeping an eye on, and it may pay to be wary of them,' Yiesla said. Other trees and shrubs — including some that were once commonly planted in the Midwest — are not recommended by the Arboretum because they are too susceptible to extremely serious disease or insect problems. One familiar example is ash trees, which are prey to the emerald ash borer. Another is Austrian pine, which is susceptible to diplodia tip blight, Zimmerman pine moth and other afflictions. 'Austrian pines used to be widely planted, even overplanted,' she said. 'Over several decades, as more and more problems cropped up and more of the trees died, it became clear that they just don't work here.' A final category of problem plants is those that are dangerous because they cause skin irritations or are potentially toxic to handle or ingest. Poison ivy is a familiar example, but other dangerous plants include pokeweed, poison hemlock, giant hogweed and stinging nettle. The Arboretum's lists of problem plants and its recommendations are likely to shift over time, as more information becomes available and as new conditions emerge. 'Our weather will continue to change,' Yiesla said. 'That can lead to stress that makes many plants more susceptible to diseases and pests.' The problem plant information pages can help careful gardeners choose plants that are likely to be beautiful, healthy and easy to care for. 'Thorough research is your best defense to make sure you don't plant a problem,' she said.
Irish Independent
13-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
See inside Georgian house in Carlow in need of some TLC to restore it to its former ‘glory and grandeur'
Hundreds of years have now passed since its construction and while it is habitable, the property exudes potential and is in search of new owners looking for a 'once in a lifetime opportunity' to restore a historic property to its 'former glory and grandeur'. As pointed out by the estate agent, Glen Lodge offers a glimpse back in time to a 'by-gone' era where society was strictly divided into different classes. Back when it was first built, Glen Lodge would have been home to the gentry, which were a group of people of high social class and standing. Although in need of some TLC, Glen Lodge has retained many of its original features such as the feature Georgian doorway, the ornate period architraves and its bay windows. Spread over three floors, the property comprises of five bedrooms, one bathroom, a dining room, a drawing room, a kitchen, a wine cellar and a billiard room with part wood panelled walls. Accessed off a winding avenue on three acres of rolling parklands, Glen Lodge is within walking distance of Leighlinbridge Village, boating on the River Barrow, the Lord Bagenal Hotel and Restaurant and the Arboretum lifestyle and garden centre. Glen Lodge has been placed on the market by Sherry FitzGerald McDermott Kildare for €498,950.
Chicago Tribune
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
With the sculptures of ‘Vivid Creatures,' the Morton Arboretum goes for color this time
As drivers on Interstate-88 zoom past the Morton Arboretum in the western suburb of Lisle, they can now glimpse a new creature overlooking the highway on the hill where Joe the Guardian, a giant wooden troll, previously stood watch from 2018 to 2021. The new sculpture, titled Spectra, is a 16-foot brittle button snail whimsically rendered in bright oranges and reds, with a metallic-accented rainbow spiraling across her shell. Spectra is one of five sculptures featured in 'Vivid Creatures,' a new exhibition by Portland-based artists and married couple Heather BeGaetz and Fez BeGaetz. Ranging from 8 to 23 feet tall, the figures are inspired by wildlife native to Northern Illinois and include Scamp (fox squirrel), Generosity (white-tailed deer), Cadence (sandhill crane) and Nimbly (blue dasher dragonfly). 'Vivid Creatures' opens to the public on May 17, with the final sculpture, Nimbly, set to be unveiled on June 2. The series represents the latest biannual outdoor exhibition the Arboretum has commissioned in recent years, following 'Troll Hunt' by artist Thomas Dambo, 'Human+Nature' by Daniel Popper (2021-23) and 'Of the Earth' by Olga Ziemska (2023-25). The overarching theme of 'Vivid Creatures' is the interconnectedness of all living things, or the fact that 'all of the elements of nature support each other's existence,' said Amy Scott, Morton Arboretum's head of exhibitions. Generosity, a white-tailed deer that stands 22 feet tall, exemplifies this idea. With his branchlike antlers and root-shaped legs, he plays a similar role to the trees of the forest by serving as host to smaller living things. Keen-eyed viewers will spot all four of the other animals from the exhibition perched in his antlers or painted on his body. Scott said that another goal of the exhibition is 'hopefully inspiring people to maybe slow down and take a breath and look around at the world, at nature around them. The Morton Arboretum really wants to inspire people to get more observant and curious.' When the Arboretum began planning this project more than two years ago, its team was drawn to the large scale of the BeGaetzes' work and their use of vibrant colors. 'Our environment here and our landscape is gorgeous and beautiful, but because it's so big, it tends to swallow up the pieces, so we really need pieces that are very large in order for it to feel impactful,' Scott said. The artists visited the Arboretum in March 2023 to gather ideas by observing local wildlife and learning about the ecosystem from the scientists on staff. Scamp was inspired by their young daughter, Calliope, feeding nuts to a squirrel and trying to play ball with it during their visit. The posture of the sculpture, which depicts a fox squirrel clutching a nut in her paws, is modeled after a photo of that interaction. Before becoming a visual artist, Heather worked as a theatrical writer, director, performer and mask-maker, and this background informs her sculptural works. 'I always lead in from a place of story, using all art to tell story, to create worlds, to invite people into other worlds,' she said. The BeGaetzes created a backstory for each of the five creatures — with overtones of fairytales and mythology about the natural world — and wove elements of these stories into the designs. For example, the sandhill crane's dancelike pose and the orange moon painted on her chest offer clues to her tale. 'Cadence's story is that her parents were dancing as cranes do when they're mating, and they were dancing in a pond where the full moon was reflected in the surface of the pond,' said Heather. 'And then the next day, they laid this egg. And so, she is a being through whom the moon can touch the Earth whenever she lands.' Working with a small crew at their Portland studio, the artists used 3-D modeling software to design the creatures, then built each sculpture by constructing a steel support structure, packing it with crumpled aluminum foil and applying fiber-reinforced concrete. After transporting the sculptures to Illinois in five semi-trucks, their process continues with assembling and installing the massive structures — which are supported by underground concrete blocks — and painting and sealing the surfaces for durability. On the opening day of 'Vivid Creatures,' a limited number of visitors will hear directly from the BeGaetzes about their creative process during a ticketed walking tour. Each weekend from May 24 through Sept. 1, the arboretum will offer free art workshops in the Children's Garden, where families can create artwork inspired by the exhibition. 'I really like to use art to inspire wonder, creativity, play,' said Heather. 'These are all qualities that we literally need to face hard things in our life, and so, I just hope that people will arrive before these creatures and kind of see them as an invitation to unwind, to play, to relax, to connect, to make a memory, and carry that with them.'
Forbes
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Run Through The Trees And Support The Morton Arboretum's Conservation Efforts
Spend time in the outdoors during the Firefly Race Series. The Morton Arboretum With 1,700 tree-filled acres, The Morton Arboretum is a lovely place to spend the day, especially as the seasons change. Whether you visit a special exhibition, find your way through the Maze Garden, take part in one of the family programs, or romp around the gardens, prairies, or forests, there's plenty to do and learn here. Hikers can explore miles of chipped trails, created specifically to enjoy the peaceful sights and sounds of nature. Cyclists can wind through diverse tree collections on nine miles of paved trails. But, if you're a runner, you're in for a treat on the arboretum's outer 4.5-mile loop on the east side or on the 2.9-mile loop on the west side. Support the arboretum's important conservation mission, where they collect and study trees from all over the globe, to not only foster learning, but also, to benefit the environment. The Firefly Race Series is a fantastic way to raise funds for a non-profit that is doing big things for the planet. The money raised for the race series directly benefits plant science, research, and conservation. 'The Arboretum is spectacular, with flowering trees and plants all along the race route, from sweeps of daffodils and wildflowers to the ever-popular purple redbuds and a tapestry of color blossoming in the Crabapple Collection,' said Arboretum Special Event Planner, Kate Fitzgerald in a press release. 'It's a very unique race course in the Chicago area.' Runners work through the miles for the Firefly Race Series. The Morton Arboretum After your run, explore the miles of trails throughout the arboretum. getty Fun for all ages and various abilities, pick from either the 3K or 10K running events, or participate virtually and run at a time and location of your own choosing. Each in-person race participant will earn a special Firefly Race Series shirt and enjoy post-race fun. On Friday, June 13, the Firefly 3K begins at 8:00 p.m. The course allows for sunset watching along the arboretum's east side. The best part is that the course is mostly flat and ideal for runners, walkers, or even wheelchair users. Following the race, participants are invited to attend a lively party with a DJ, glow sticks, and refreshments. If you've never run a race before, this is a great introduction into how fun it can be to run outside and be a part of a heath-minded community. For the more challenging 10K, runners will cross the starting line at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 14. This USATF-certified course winds through the gorgeous woodlands and tree collections on the arboretum's east side. Top overall male, female, and nonbinary runners will receive awards in each age division. Complete both the 3K and 10K as part of the combined Firefly Race Series Challenge and you'll earn a special award. Running through the trees is a great way to spend the day. The Morton Arboretum No matter which routes you choose—3K, 10K, or virtual—sign up through RunSignUp. Spectators can watch for free if they register in advance and arrive before 9:00 a.m., and they are welcome to attend post-race festivities. When you register, you can choose whether you'd like your race packet mailed to you directly or if you'd like to pick it up at the arboretum ahead of the event on race day—both options cost $10. If you can arrive at Dick Pond Athletics in Lisle between June 6—13, however, packet pickup is free of charge.
