A cardinal perches on a tree branch with brown, leafless twigs against a clear blue sky.
A deer stands on a grassy area in a forest, surrounded by tall trees. The background shows foliage with warm colors. The deer is looking towards the camera, with the early evening light creating a soft ambiance.
A squirrel with a bushy tail perched on a tree branch, illuminated by sunlight in a natural outdoor setting.
Celebrating #WorldWildlifeDay with some beautiful wildlife at the Arboretum! π¦ π¦ πΏοΈ
#Wildlife #Animals #MortonArboretum #Nature
03.03.2026 18:11 β
π 1
π 0
π¬ 0
π 0
A robin with a reddish-orange breast perches on a branch in a tree with numerous small twigs. It holds a small leaf in its beak, and the background is filled with thin, bare branches.
Calling all bird watchers! π¦
Join the Great Backyard Bird Count Feb 13β16. Spend 15+ minutes watching birds, count what you see, and submit to eBird or Merlin to help scientists protect birds worldwide. π¦π
Learn more: https://www.birdcount.org/.
12.02.2026 18:50 β
π 2
π 2
π¬ 0
π 0
βWhat Iβve enjoyed most so far about my work at the Arboretum is connecting research and fieldwork with real-world impact, and being part of such a supportive and passionate community in tree science.β
Razieh Yazdani, PhD | Research Scientist, Plant Pathology
βThe best part of my job is collaborating with global partners who recognize the Arboretum's scientific leadership and dedication to tree conservation. From urban forestry in China to conserving threatened trees in Southeast Asia, I love using science as a universal language to protect the worldβs most vulnerable natural treasures.β
Chai-Shian Kua, PhD | Senior Officer, Center for Species Survival: Trees
Global Tree Conservation Specialist
βI have the honor of studying the genetics and natural history of burr oaks in collaboration with global researchers to gain a fuller understanding of the trees and the ecosystems they support. Sometimes, we inadvertently find something not previously documented in science!β
Rebekah Mohn, PhD | Postdoctoral Researcher, Oak Population Genomics
I love working with herbarium specimens, researching and learning more about species, and teaching people about the herbarium.β
Lindsey Worcester, MS | Herbarium Coordinator
Letβs go, girls! πββοΈ Today is #InternationalWomenAndGirlsInScienceDay, and we are celebrating by hearing from just a few of the amazing women scientists at The Morton Arboretum! π©βπ¬
Drop a π¬ in the comments to celebrate women in scienceβor tag a woman or girl whoβs interested in tree science. π
11.02.2026 20:47 β
π 7
π 3
π¬ 1
π 0
Look closely at bark...
for subtle beauty.
A collage of different tree barks.
Bark is beautiful. π³ Come see for yourself!
Each species has a characteristic color and texture to its bark. π
Bark isnβt just for looksβitβs a treeβs armor! πͺ
π Learn more and discover some distinctive bark textures across the Arboretum: https://arb.eco/3LIvzPX.
28.01.2026 21:51 β
π 4
π 0
π¬ 0
π 0
A serene winter landscape in a forest with tall trees and a ground lightly covered in snow.
With cold temps ahead, you may hear about βexploding treesβ β but itβs not that explosive. π³βοΈ Sudden cold rarely causes this. Whatβs more common is frost cracking, when bark warms in the sun, then cools and shrinks faster than the inner wood, creating a vertical crack. Learn more: bit.ly/4a9Lb8k.
22.01.2026 22:18 β
π 6
π 3
π¬ 0
π 0
Snowy songbird trail, @mortonarboretum.bsky.social this morning.
15.01.2026 15:50 β
π 10
π 1
π¬ 0
π 1
A person examining plant specimens laid out on a newspaper-covered table in a laboratory setting.
Undergrads: strengthen your research skills with a summer at the Arboretum! Gain the guidance of staff scientists through the National Science Foundationβs Research Experiences for Undergraduates program at The Morton Arboretum. Apps due Jan. 31! bit.ly/49t9pZD #SummerInternship #TreeScience #STEM
15.01.2026 23:00 β
π 11
π 4
π¬ 0
π 0
A person wearing a hat carries branches amidst lush greenery in a wooded area.
The Arboretum is pleased to have been mentioned among @wttw.bsky.socialβs most-read nature stories in 2025, for an important article on stopping the spread of invasive buckthorn in Chicago-region forests. ICYMI, read more here: bit.ly/4q8xWKE
12.01.2026 18:09 β
π 6
π 0
π¬ 0
π 0