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The Morton Arboretum is another testament to the frigid conditions of the Chicago-Milwaukee region and the hardy survival abilities of Metasequoias. It is one of the natural gems of the Chicago area. |
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The Metasequoias here grow moderately well. While the sole original received from the Arnold and planted in 1948 is very small, others planted in the mid 1950s fared better, reaching nearly 80 feet. However the average is about 50 feet and the bases are sub par. There are a total of ten specimens, one from the Arnold, 8 from the Cole Nursery, and one "National" type planted in 1963 from the National Arboretum. These trees have flourished better than Metas at the Boerner Arboretum or the Chicago Botanic Gardens. However, they are still far below their Midwest counterparts at the Missouri Gardens or the Bernheim, further demonstrating that Metasequoias do not grow well in the Chicago-Milwaukee area. This region defines the Northern range of Metasequoias in the Midwest. So if you want to check out some Metasequoias in the Chicago area, the Morton is your definite best bet. The Morton Arboretum 4100 Illinois Route 53 Lisle, IL 60532 |
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Located less than 30 minutes Southeast of Chicago, it features 1,700 acres and a large, diverse collection. It features over fourteen miles of trails with most of its collections specializing in North American and Asiatic species.