Library Notes

Color My World … with yellow, red, orange, brown …, Or, Fall Color at The Morton Arboretum!

2011-10-17T08:35:00.011-05:00

"The trees are spectacular at The Morton Arboretum!" While I might be prone to making this remark at anytime of the year, at this moment our grounds seem to glow with the vivid colors of autumn. Yellow, red, orange, brown with occasional splashes of purple and magenta – are all part of our fall color palette. As I walk and drive through the grounds, I’m beginning to see more and more leaves changing colors. With plants from over 40 countries, it almost seems like there'll be no end to this beautiful and colorful season!
Interested in learning more about color on our grounds? Our very own Color Scout has previewed some colorful Arboretum destinations for you in his weekly color report. Curious why and how leaves change colors? Find out in Why Leaves Change Color. Interested in reading and sharing some colorful stories? Visit the Sterling Morton Library to check out:

Leaf Man or Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert

The Garden in Autumn by Allen Lacy

Autumn Leaves by Ron Lanner

Sketching Outdoors in Autumn by Jim Arnosky

Pumpkin Heads! By Wendell Minor

Songbird Journeys : four seasons in the lives of migratory birds by Miyoko Chu

On the Wing : American birds in migration by Carol Lerner

Living on the Wind : across the hemisphere with migratory birds by Scott Weidensaul

Autumn across America by Edwin Way Teale

Go for a walk, scramble through the fallen leaves and immerse yourself in an autumn world filled with a kaleidoscope of colors at The Morton Arboretum. Whether you’re looking for some information on plants to select for superb fall color, sharing an autumnal story or wanting to read a little more in-depth about this vivid season, the Sterling Morton Library has a host of resources awaiting you!

Fall into the Sterling Morton Library!

2011-08-19T14:30:00.038-05:00

During the coming months, there are a number of noteworthy events at The Morton Arboretum including the following programs to be held in the Sterling Morton Library:

N732 - Green Fire : Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time
Thursday, September 22, 2011 – 6:30-9:00 p.m.
In his book, A Sand County Almanac, conservationist Aldo Leopold laid out the key insight that was the culmination of his life's work: a shared responsibility for the health of the land we inhabit. Explore Leopold's personal journey and the threads that connect to his legacy today through an intimate screening of the new documentary Green Fire.
Join us for a dessert reception preceding the film, and stay afterwards to discuss the film, Leopold, and his groundbreaking work with Leopold biographer Curt Meine, author Jim Ballowe, and more.

A411 - A Fascination with Flight
Saturday, September 24, 2011 – 1-4 p.m.
From the time we are quite young, the feathered creatures that perch high up in the trees and then take flight capture our imaginations. Meet artists such as Audubon, Fuertes, and Jaques, who took this fascination a step further and made their careers painting birds and helping us to see and understand them in a new way.

N 733 - A Trek Across the Chicago Wilderness
Thursday, November 3, 2011 - 7-8:30 pm.
In June 2009, Jack MacRae walked across Chicago Wilderness, from Chiwaukee Prairie in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, to Warren Woods in Berrien County, Michigan. Over 15 days he walked approximately 240 miles, visiting over 50 preserves, parks, and natural areas. Join Jack on his journey as he describes his walk and shares his experiences in prairies, sand dunes, forests, flatwoods, savannas, rivers, ponds, wetlands, ravines, and one great lake.

H734 - Jens Jensen, Frank Lloyd Wright, and My Small Garden
Thursday, December 1, 2011 – 7-8:30 p.m.
What can you do in a small garden? Join author Cathy Jean Maloney as she takes you on a virtual tour of her own historic cottage with a garden designed by renowned landscape architect Jens Jensen. Designed ca. 1907 for the gardener of a large estate, this Frank Lloyd Wright home was landscaped by Jensen. Discover the enduring influences of the Jensen/Wright collaboration and how Maloney and her family enjoy the naturalistic, small-space garden today.

Pre-registration is required for all of these events. Registration details can be viewed at http://www.mortonarb.org/education.html or by stopping at the Arboretum’s Visitor Center.

Hope to see you at one or more of these programs that will be presented within the Sterling Morton Library!

Independence Day Holiday

2011-07-01T16:38:00.006-05:00

The Sterling Morton Library will be closed Saturday-Monday, July 2-4, in celebration of Independence Day. We will reopen to the public on Tuesday, July 5th.

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday!

The Sterling Morton Library is typically open Tuesday – Friday from 9-5 and Saturday from 10-4.

New Library Exhibit!

2011-06-23T10:14:00.009-05:00

Jens Jensen: Landscapes for People

June 28, 2011 - September 1, 2012

Drawing on the strengths of the Jens Jensen collections in the Sterling Morton Library, this exhibit features landscape drawings, archival photographs, and modern color photographs to introduce visitors to Jensen’s philosophies as laid out in his 1939 book Siftings. The exhibit demonstrates how Jensen’s naturalistic, prairie-inspired style of landscape design has established him as a major figure in American landscape architecture and focuses on what Jensen always intended his landscapes to be for: people. His landscapes thus emerge not only as sites of aesthetic beauty but as expressions of Jensen’s theories of the social impact of landscape architecture.

This exhibit is presented in conjunction with Festival of the Architecture Book, 1511-2011.

Art in the Service of Science: The Guild of Natural Science Illustrators Exhibit

2011-03-04T11:35:00.004-06:00

Scientific illustrators are artists in the service of science. They use scientifically informed observation, combined with technical skills to accurately portray a subject. Accuracy and communication are essential. The skilled scientific illustrator can clarify and emphasize important details, and reconstruct broken specimens on paper.

Join us in the Sterling Morton Library from February 15 - June 4 for an exhibit featuring the original artwork of these talented artists. Explore subjects from land to sea, including plants, insects, birds, fossil reconstructions and more! The paintings and drawings on display are created through a variety of mediums, ranging from century old techniques used to illuminate manuscripts to digital paintings created entirely on the computer.

The library is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.

To learn more about the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators, visit www.gnsi.org.

Leafing Through the Pages - 2011

2010-12-29T16:23:00.007-06:00

The nominations have been presented! The ballots have been cast! The votes are in! During 2011, participants in Leafing Through the Pages, the book/film discussion group of the Sterling Morton Library, will be viewing, reading and discussing the following works:

January 13 – The Curious Mister Catesby – Viewing of the film will begin at 10 a.m. with the discussion to follow.
February 10 – Egan, Timothy. The big burn : Teddy Roosevelt and the fire that saved America, 2010.
March 10 – Muir, John. A thousand-mile walk to the Gulf, 1916.
April 14 – Lisle, Laurie. Portrait of an artist: a biography of Georgia O'Keeffe, 1997.
May 12 – Biggers, Jeff. Reckoning at Eagle Creek : the secret legacy of coal in the heartland, 2010.
June 9 – Freinkel, Susan. American chestnut : the life, death, and rebirth of a perfect trees, 2007.
July 14 – Carson, Rachel. Silent spring, 1962.
August 11, 2011 – Wulf, Andrea. The brother gardeners : botany, empire and the birth of an obsession, 2009.
September 8 – Lewis, Charles. Green nature/human nature : the meaning of plants in our lives, 1996.
October 13 – Plotkin, Mark J. Tales of a shaman’s apprentice : an ethnobotanist searches for new medicines in the Amazon rain forest, 1993.
November 10 – Stegner, Wallace. Beyond the hundredth meridian : John Wesley Powell and the second opening of the west, 1954.
December 8 – Greenfield, Amy Butler. A perfect red : empire, espionage, and the quest for the color of desire, 2005.

Meeting the second Thursday of each month from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. in the Sterling Morton Library of The Morton Arboretum

Join us for a morning of spirited conversation, discussion and dialogue!

Snowfall at the Arboretum!

2010-12-04T09:32:00.007-06:00

As we receive our first significant snowfall of the season, the beauty of the Arboretum’s winter landscape shines. With little wind, today’s gently falling snow seems to outline every branch, twig and nuance. During our winter months, the intrepid visitors to the Arboretum will find lots of opportunities to study the architecture and structure of our plant collections. Hikers, skiers, snowshoers and walkers will be rewarded with spectacular views of our winter landscapes -- along with plenty of opportunities to discover how plants and animals adapt to the cold. What a remarkable place and time to learn more about our winter world!

Encouraged to take a snowy walk at the Arboretum or through your own neighborhood? Stop by the Sterling Morton Library and peruse some of these resources to guide your winter quest:

Bark : the formation, characteristics, and uses of bark around the world photographs by Kjell B. Sandved ; text by Ghillean Tolmie
A guide to wildflowers in winter : herbaceous plants of northeastern North America by Carol Levine
Life in the cold : an introduction to winter ecology by Peter Marchand
Season of promise : wild plants in winter by June Carver Roberts
Studies of trees in winter : a description of the deciduous trees of northeastern America by Annie Oakes Huntington ; with an introduction by Charles Sprague Sargent
Tree bark : a color guide by Hugues Vaucher
Trees in a winter landscape by Alice Upham Smith
Trees in winter : their study and identification by Albert Francis Blakeslee and Chester Deacon Jarvis
Weeds in winter written and illustrated by Lauren Brown
Winter : an ecological handbook by James C. Halfpenny, Roy Douglas Ozanne
Winter world : the ingenuity of animal survival by Bernd Heinrich

The Sterling Morton Library is open Tuesday through Friday from 9-5 and Saturday from 10-4.

Happy 150th birthday, Jens Jensen!

2010-09-13T17:09:00.006-05:00

Today, September 13th, marks the 150th anniversary of Jens Jensen’s birth! Festivities and events are planned internationally to celebrate this remarkable year. The Clearing in Ellison Bay, Wisconsin is celebrating not only the sesquicentennial of Jensen’s birth, but also the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Clearing. The Jens Jensen Legacy Project of the Chicago Park District has a flotilla of special events celebrating this anniversary year. Celebratory events continue across the ocean with additional events and a conference planned in his native country, Denmark.

Interested in learning more about Jensen? Consider stopping by the Sterling Morton Library and reading some of these selected writings about Jensen, his work -- including the creation of the Clearing:
Grese, Robert E. Jens Jensen : maker of natural parks and gardens, 1992.
Eaton, Leonard K. Landscape artist in America : the life and work of Jens Jensen, 1964.
Fulkerson, Mertha. The story of the Clearing : a Door County legend, 1972.
Bachrach, Julia Sniderman. Inspired by nature : the Garfield Park Conservatory and Chicago’s West Side, 2008.

Find out more about Jensen through his own thoughts and words in Siftings (published in 1939) and The Clearing, “a way of life” (published in 1949). Find out more about Jensen through the eyes of his great grandson, Woody Wheeler, in this essay about Jensen's contributions and work.

In addition to these previously mentioned sources, the Sterling Morton Library has extensive collections relating to the life and work of Jensen. Landscape plans, photographs, correspondence and other assorted documents create a rich resource for researchers and others interested in this “landscape architect, maker of parks, [and] conservationist.”

Over the coming weeks, visit some of the landscapes familiar, preserved, created and revered by Jensen -- and celebrate his important legacy!

“The plains speak of freedom—earth and sky meet on the far horizon. There is nothing to intercept the vision from the infinite.”

-- Jens Jensen in Siftings

May T. Watts Reading Garden is closed!

2010-09-07T09:56:00.002-05:00

The May T. Watts Reading Garden of the Sterling Morton Library is closed for maintenance (power washing, tuckpointing and sealing) of the Library’s walls. The Garden will reopen when this project is completed. While the project is scheduled to take several weeks, no official reopen date has been determined due to the vagaries of our weather.

Stay tuned for more information as this project progresses!

A Season of Joy : 2010-2011 Chamber Concert Series

2010-09-01T14:59:00.006-05:00

Each year, The Morton Arboretum presents a wonderful Chamber Concert Series at the Thornhill Education Center. Founded in 1980, the Series strives to present a diverse palette of performers, instruments and composers. Join us for our 2010-2011 season and revel in the performances of:

Sunday, November 7, 2010 – 2:15 p.m.
Ensemble Chaconne

Sunday, December 5, 2010 – 2:15 p.m.

Fifth House Ensemble

Sunday, January 9, 2011 – 2:15 p.m.

Third Coast Percussion

Sunday, February 6, 2011 – 2:15 p.m.

Elmhurst Symphony Strings

Sunday, March 6, 201 – 2:15 p.m.

Solaire Quartet

All concerts are presented in the Arbor Room of the Thornhill Education Center. After each performance, a reception in the adjoining Founder's Room offers the opportunity to enjoy conversations with the artists and fellow audience members in the splendor of the original library of the Arboretum's founder, Joy Morton.

Individual and series tickets are on sale now.

Order online: https://mortonarb.obsres.com/Info.aspx?EventID=7
Call: 630-725-2066, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m

Stop by the Arboretum's Visitor Center

Celebrate the beauty and magic of winter, music and the Arboretum -- at an upcoming concert!

Articles of note in the Sterling Morton Library : July’s offerings

2010-07-31T09:37:00.003-05:00

Brock, W.A. and S.T. Carpenter. Interacting regime shifts in ecosystems: implications for early warnings. Ecological Monographs, v. 80, no. 3, p. 353-367.
Duncan, Anne. Beyond the basic herbs. Fine Gardening, no. 135, p. 50-53.
Sachs, Aaron. American Arcadia : Mount Auburn Cemetery and the nineteenth-century landscape tradition. Environmental History, v. 15, no. 2, p. 206-235.
Schusler, Tania M. and Marianne E. Krasny. Environmental action as context for youth development. The Journal of Environmental Education, v. 41, no. 4, p. 208-223.
Watson, Gary. The effect of broadcast nitrogen fertilization rates and placement on the growth of green ash trees. Arboriculture & Urban Forestry, v. 36, no. 4, p. 179-182.
Weber-Turcotte, Katherine. Growing moss in the garden. The Herb Quarterly, no. 124, p. 29-33.

2010-07-14T14:33:00.010-05:00

As you may or may not know, the Sterling Morton Library is lucky to have a large archive of landscape drawings, photographs, and correspondence of the noted Midwest landscape designer Jens Jensen. We often aid visitors on their quest for information for their Jensen research projects.

This year is the 150th anniversary of his birth and there are several celebrations taking place all over the world to honor this great man and his work.

If you are in the mood for a trip there is an international conference taking place in Denmark this year. HORTA IN URBE – URBS IN HORTA: International Conference on Landscape Gardener Jens Jensen, Chicago, and the Concept of Nature in City and Park Planning will take place September 16-17 at the Sonderborg Castle in Denmark.

Featured speakers will be:

Professor Robert Grese, Director, School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Michigan - Jens Jensen and the American Nature
Michael Schneider, Director , “The Clearing” - Jens Jensen and “The Clearing”
Lecturer, dr. phil. Malene Hauxner, CU- Life: Jens Jensen, seen in the context of European park
Catharina Malmberg‐Snodgrass, London- Jens Jensen as park‐and garden architect

If you are interested in learning more about this fascinating opportunity more information can be found here:

HORTA IN URBE – URBS IN HORTA

An Evening of Wicked Plants!

2010-07-09T09:22:00.014-05:00

Wicked Plants! The Deliciously Dark Side of the Plant Kingdom

Amy Stewart, Author

In her New York Times bestseller Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities (Algonquin Books, May 2009), Amy Stewart takes on Mother Nature's most appalling creations. It's an A to Z of plants that kill, maim, intoxicate, and otherwise offend. Drawing on history, medicine, science, and legend, Stewart presents tales of bloodcurdling botany that will entertain, alarm, and enlighten even the most intrepid gardeners and nature lovers. Find out which plant killed Abraham Lincoln's mother, which shrub ignited a global war, and what plant has killed 90 million people. From strychnine to castor bean, from poison sumac to monkshood, from carnivorous plants to weeds that spontaneously combust, Stewart introduces an unforgettable cast of characters and tells their tales with her own wicked sense of humor.

Join us in the Sterling Morton Library for a special talk by Amy Stewart on Wednesday evening, August 18, 2010. Prepare to be delighted by the wonders of the plant world, and stay for a book signing with the author after the talk.

August 18, 2010

Sterling Morton Library, 7-8:30 p.m.
The Morton Arboretum
Member Fee - $14.00
Non-member Fee - $21.00

Registration details for An Evening of Wicked Plants with Amy Stewart can be found at: http://www.mortonarb.org/calendar/article/19451/an-evening-of-wicked-plants.html

2010-06-29T08:48:00.005-05:00

Independence Day Holiday!

The Sterling Morton Library will be closed Saturday, July 3rd through Monday, July 5th in celebration of Independence Day. We will reopen to the public on Tuesday, July 6th.

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday!

The Sterling Morton Library is open Tuesday – Friday from 9-5 and Saturday from 10-4.

2010-06-10T17:25:00.006-05:00

What do these three plays plus an exhibit in the Sterling Morton Library at The Morton Arboretum all have in common?

Cats
A Chorus Line
Mousetrap
Flora! Illuminated …

They’ve all had their runs extended! We’re delighted to announce that Flora! Illuminated … will be available for viewing during Library hours until January 2011. Please visit in-person or view selections from the exhibit at: http://florailluminated.wordpress.com.

Articles of note in the Sterling Morton Library : May/June’s offerings

2010-06-04T12:14:00.004-05:00

Brooks, Elizabeth W. and David N. Bonter. Long-term changes in avian community structure in a successional, forested, and managed plot in a reforesting landscape. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, v. 122, no. 2, p. 288-295.
Colyvan, Mark and Lev R. Ginzburg. Analogical thinking in ecology: looking beyond disciplinary boundaries. The Quarterly Review of Biology, v. 85, no. p. 171-182.
Cullina, William. Wildflowers as groundcovers. American Nurseryman, v. 210, no. 6, p. 38-44.
DeVore, Sheryl. Virgin prairie : along Lake Michigan, Wisconsin’s prairie thrives. Wildflowers : the magazine of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, v. 26, no. 4, p. 8-9.
Great article about the Chiwaukee Prairie!
Gilman, Edward F., Chris Harchick and Maria Paz. Planting depth affects root form of three shade tree cultivars in containers. Arboriculture & Urban Forestry, v. 36, no. 3, p. 132-139.
Klein, Carol. Camassias : elegant and tall, these gorgeous plants look lovely in flower beds or growing among long grass. Gardens Illustrated, no. 161, p. 60-67.
“Blue flowers hold a special place among gardeners. What is it about them that we love so much? Perhaps it is their affinity with the sky or sea?”
The Nature Artists’ Quarterly - Illustrated and written by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum.
Always a treat to read this publication and view the artists’ contributions to the Members’ Gallery!

26 Days of Flora! Illuminated...

2010-05-04T10:14:00.007-05:00

Monday was the launch of our new online exhibit, 26 Days of Flora! Illuminated... a photoblog featuring most of the artwork in Flora! Illuminated…, the exhibit currently running at the Sterling Morton Library at The Morton Arboretum through June 30, 2010.

We will be posting 26 individual works of art that are currently on display in the library over the next 26 days, and include an additional bit of information to enhance your understanding of each work. Be sure to visit every day!

You can follow us online at: http://florailluminated.wordpress.com/

and also on our brand new Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Lisle-IL/Sterling-Morton-Library/102514733126106

We really need some fans on Facebook to get this online exhibit to catch on, so if you are on Facebook please be sure to go to our page and LIKE us (previously known as "become a fan") so others will know we exist.

After exploring this online exhibit, be sure to visit to the Morton Arboretum to see this colorful and enchanting exhibit in person!

The Sterling Morton Library is open Tuesday through Friday from 9-5 and Saturdays from 10-4.

Happy Arbor Day!

2010-04-30T06:41:00.010-05:00

Arbor Day, this remarkable holiday founded in 1872 by J. Sterling Morton, celebrates the importance and wonder of trees. Trees help make a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. Remember “every tree counts!” Learn how this event is celebrated at The Morton Arboretum. Happy day! Arbor Day is not like other holidays. Each of those reposes on the past, while Arbor Day proposes for the future. -- J. Sterling Morton

A Troupe of Wildflowers

2010-04-19T12:17:00.010-05:00

What a spring! It seems like each time I walk on one of the Arboretum trails, I spot a different wildflower. A bevy of bloodroot, a symphony of spring beauties, a cadre of trillium, a throng of Dutchman's breeches – well, you get the picture! Interested in sharpening your identification skills of these remarkable plants? Want to learn more about the folklore and myths related to these springtime ephemerals? Before or after your walk, stop by the Sterling Morton Library and indulge yourself in one of these resources:

Black, Merel R. Wildflowers of Wisconsin and the upper Midwest, 2008.
Clemants, Steven Earl. Wildflowers in the field and forest : a field guide to the northeastern United States, 2006.
Coffey, Timothy. The history and folklore of North American wildflowers, 1993.
Ladd, Douglas M. North Woods wildflowers: a field guide to wildflowers of the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada, 2001.
Mahlberg, Paul G. Wildflowers of Door County : Wisconsin's unique floral preserve : a field guide, 2000.
Martin, Laura C. Wildflower folklore, 1984.
Sanders, Jack. Hedgemaids and fairy candles : the lives and lore of North American wildflowers, 1993.
Sanders, Jack. The secrets of wildflowers, 2003.
Vance, F.R. Wildflowers of the northern Great Plains, 1999.
Werner, William E. Life and lore of Illinois wildflowers, 1988.
Yatskievych, Kay. Field guide to Indiana wildflowers, 2000.

Enjoy these days!

Articles of note in the Sterling Morton Library : April’s offerings

2010-04-12T12:40:00.003-05:00

A Fascination With Flight...

2010-03-24T12:39:00.014-05:00

Explore birds in the special collections of the Sterling Morton Library with Arlene Widrevitz, Freelance Artist & Rare Print Collection Staff at The Morton Arboretum.

From the time we are quite young, we are attracted to the feathered creatures that perch high up in the trees and then take flight. Meet artists, such as Audubon, Fuertes, and Jaques, who took this obsession a step further and made their careers painting birds and helping us to see them in a new way. Tea and goodies will be served.

A411 - Fascination With Flight
Prerequisite: None
Art Certificate Elective (3 hours)
Saturday, May 1; 1 – 4 pm
Sterling Morton Library
$36 (members $30)
Limit 15

Register Online or by calling 630-719-2468

Flora! Illuminated ...

2010-03-15T09:41:00.009-05:00

The Sterling Morton Library's latest exhibit has opened - Flora! Illuminated ...
See spectacular plant images from the rare book and art collections in this special exhibit. Flora! Illuminated ... is a non-traditional alphabetical exploration of spectacular plant images from the Library's Suzette Morton Davidson Special Collections.
Snippets of song lyrics, poetry, and prose have been selected to accompany these brilliant images to create a memorable experience for visitors.
The exhibit highlights rarely seen artwork and rare books, revealing the extraordinary beauty and depth of the library's collections ... and of the plant world.

This exhibit can be viewed: Tuesday - Friday from 9-5 and Saturday from 10-4 through June 30, 2010.

Articles of note in the Sterling Morton Library : March’s offerings

2010-03-03T10:27:00.005-06:00

These are some recent articles that can be found within the journal collection of the Sterling Morton Library. Please visit the Library to discover the incredible botanical and horticultural resources that await you! If you are unable to visit the Library and interested in reviewing one of these articles, I would be delighted to help you at rhassert@mortonarb.org.

Bayles, David Paul. Falling trees. Orion, v. 29, no. 2, p. 50-55.

Botts, Beth. From the ground up : a 19-year partnership turns a bare subdivision lot into a leafy glade. Chicagoland Gardening, v. 16, no. 2, p. 654-69.
A bare lot in Wheaton grows into a wooded splendor.

Ebinger, John E., et al. Vascular plant species extirpated or not vouchered as occurring in Illinois. Erigenia, no. 23, p. 3-23.

Johnson, W. Carter, et al. Prairie wetland complexes as landscape functional units in a changing climate. BioScience, v. 60, no. 2, p. 128-140.

Mathew, Brian. A chorus of crocus. Garden, v. 135, pt. 2, p. 86-89.

Orrock, John L. and Martha S. Witter. Multiple drivers of apparent competition reduce re-establishment of a native plant in invaded habitats. Oikos, v. 119, p. 101-108.

Rose, Nancy. A soft touch : Pinus wallichiana. Arnoldia, v. 67, no. 3, p. 36.
Interesting note about the Himalayan white pine – saunter out to our magnificent specimen in the Conifer Collection – worth a visit!

Schwegman, John E. A lifetime of botanizing in Illinois. Erigenia, no. 23, p. 39-44.

The Snoring Bird

2010-02-11T16:56:00.012-06:00

Today’s gathering of Leafing Through the Pages, the book discussion group of the Sterling Morton Library, was a fascinating and insightful discussion of Bernd Heinrich’s The Snoring Bird. Heinrich’s page-turning memoir led to a thoughtful conversation about survival, biology, family dynamics, history, nature vs. nurture and a host of related topics. Heinrich’s frank and compelling tale provided an entry point for the group to explore the intriguing world of the naturalist.

Interested in exploring the writings of Heinrich? Stop by the Library and discover:

Bumblebee economics, 1979. QL568.A6 H39
In a patch of fireweed, 1984. CT9460.H45 I5
One man's owl, 1987. QL696.S8 H45
Ravens in winter, 1989. QL696.P2367 H45
The hot-blooded insects : strategies and mechanisms of thermoregulation, 1993. QL495 .H38
A year in the Maine woods, 1994. F26 .H45
The thermal warriors : strategies of insect survival, 1996. QL495 .H39
Winter world : the ingenuity of animal survival, 2003. QL753 .H45
The geese of Beaver Bog, 2004. QL696.A52 H43
Summer world : a season of bounty, 2009. QL753 .H44

Next month, we will temporarily transform ourselves into a film discussion group. With our start time slightly tweaked, we will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 11 with a viewing -- followed by a discussion -- of the film Enchanted April.

Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor …

2010-01-23T09:22:00.008-06:00

As I was entering the Arboretum’s grounds this Saturday morning, I was musing about that famous motto - Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor ... - and was delighted with all of the intrepid walkers, runners, hikers, and bikers visible near the Arboretum’s Visitor Center. There are so many different ways to visit and enjoy our winter landscapes. What a wonderful time of year to travel through the grounds and discover a host of interesting plants, views, birds and tracks. Before you head out for a visit to our winter landscapes, be sure to take one of these guides from the Sterling Morton Library to help you decipher the plants and mysterious tracks that you might see!

Arnosky, Jim. Crinkleroot’s book of animal tracking. New York : Bradbury Press, 1989. [J QL768.A75 1989]
Brown, Lauren. Weeds in winter. Boston : Houghton Mifflin, 1976. [QK118.B7 1977]
Halfpenny, James C. Winter : an ecological handbook. Boulder : Johnson Books, 1989. [QH81.H35]
Heinrich, Bernd. Winter world : the ingenuity of animal survival. New York : Ecco, c2003.[QL753.H45]
Levine, Carol. A guide to wildflowers in winter. New Haven : Yale University Press, 1995. [QK117.L48]
Marchand, Peter J. Life in the cold : an introduction to winter ecology. 2nd ed. Hanover : University Press of New England, 1991. [QH543.2.M37 1991]
Mason, George F. Animals tracks. New York : William Morrow, 1943. [SK282.M3]
Murie, Olaus J. A field guide to animal tracks. Boston : Houghton Mifflin, 1963. [SK282.M8]
Simeone, Vincent A. Wonders of the winter landscape : shrubs and trees to brighten the cold-weather garden. Batavia, Ill. : Ball Pub., c2005.[SB435.S48]
Smith, Alice Upham. Trees in a winter landscape. New York : Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1969. [QK477.S64]
Trelease, William. Winter botany : an identification guide to native trees and shrubs. 3rd ed. New York : Dover, 1967. [QK477.T84 1967]

The Sterling Morton Library is open Tuesday – Friday from 9 to 5 and Saturday from 10 to 4. Visit soon!

Articles of note in the Sterling Morton Library : January’s offerings

2010-01-20T12:07:00.002-06:00

Leafing Through the Pages - 2010

2009-12-10T18:16:00.004-06:00

Leafing Through the Pages, the book discussion group of the Sterling Morton Library, will be reading and discussing the following works during 2010:

January 14, 2010 - Hensley, William L. Iġġiaġruk. Fifty miles from tomorrow : a memoir of Alaska and the real people, 2009.
February 11, 2010 - Heinrich, Bernd. The snoring bird : my family's journey through a century of biology, 2007.
March 11, 2010 - Enchanted April (1992) – Film - Showing times to be determined.
April 8, 2010 - Wilke, Joanne. Eight women, two Model Ts, and the American West, 2007.
May 13, 2010 - Cousteau, Jacques and Susan Schiefelbein. The human, the orchid, and the octopus : exploring and conserving our natural world, 2007.
June 10, 2010 - Gentile, Olivia. Life list : a woman’s quest for the world’s most amazing birds, 2009.
July 8, 2010 - Smith, Jane S. The garden of invention : Luther Burbank and the business of breeding plants, 2009.
August 12, 2010 - Bryson, Bill. A walk in the woods : rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail, 1999.
September 9, 2010 - Bartram, William. Travels through North and South Carolina, east and west Florida, originally published in 1791.
October 14, 2010 - Stewart, Amy. Wicked plants : the weed that killed Lincoln's mother & other botanical atrocities, 2009.
November 11, 2010 - Buck, Pearl. The Good earth, originally published in 1931.
December 9, 2010 - Ballowe, Jim. Christmas in Illinois, 2010.

Meeting the second Thursday of each month from 10-12 in the Sterling Morton Library of The Morton Arboretum.

Walk with us in the woods with Bill Bryson, swim underwater with Jacques Cousteau, tour with 8 women in a Model T, visit Alaska, discover some very dangerous plants, travel with William Bartram in the Carolinas (circa 1791) and spend Christmas in Illinois. If that isn't enough -- with the addition of a film -- we'll explore a small mediaeval Italian castle on the shores of the Mediterranean and discover the transformative power of landscape, space and setting!

Articles of note in the Sterling Morton Library : November’s offerings

2009-11-30T14:09:00.001-06:00

These are some recent articles that can be found within the journal collection of the Sterling Morton Library. Please visit the Library to discover the incredible botanical and horticultural resources that await you! If you are unable to visit the Library and interested in reviewing one of these articles, I would be delighted to help you at rhassert@mortonarb.org.

Abel, Andrea. Cloud city. Wildflower, v. 26, no. 2, p. 12-19.
“At northern Mexico’s El Cielo Biosphere Reserve, an unusual stretch of cloud forest is home to an abundance of plants and animals.”

Bourne, Joel K. Redwoods : the super trees. National Geographic, v. 216, no. 4, p. 28-63.

New plants for 2010. American Nurseryman, v. 209, no. 12, p. 12-47.

Price, Karen and Dave Daust. Making monitoring manageable : a framework to guide learning. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, v. 39, no. 10, p. 1881-1892.

Schnable, P.S., et al. The B73 maize genome : complexity, diversity, and dynamics. Science, v. 326, no. 5956, p. 1112-115.
“The sequence of the maize genome reveals it to be the most complex genome known to date.”

Olechnowski, Brian F.M., Diane M. Debinski, Pauline Drobney, Karen Viste-Sparkman and William T. Reed. Changes in vegetation structure through time in a restored tallgrass prairie ecosystem and implications for avian diversity and community composition. Ecological Restoration, v. 27, no. 4, p. 449-457.

Articles of note in the Sterling Morton Library : October’s offerings

2009-10-30T16:40:00.002-05:00

These are some recent articles that can be found within the journal collection of the Sterling Morton Library. Please visit the Library to discover the incredible botanical and horticultural resources that await you! If you are unable to visit the Library and interested in reviewing one of these articles, I would be delighted to help you at rhassert@mortonarb.org.

Alsop, Peter. Invasion of the longhorns. Smithsonian, v. 40, no. 8, p. 42-49.

Daum, Miriam C. Birding 101. Snowy Egret, v, 70, no. 2, p. 6-8.

Hu, Xin-Sheng, Fanliang He and Stephen P. Hubbell. Community differentiation on landscapes: drift, migration and speciation. Oikos, v. 118, no. 10, 1515-1523.

Krischan, Tom. A prairie home : return your lawn to its prairie roots with low-maintenance grasses and perennials. Northern Gardener, v. 137, no. 6, p. 32-35.

Loraine, Joan. Hunting the dog’s tooth : Erythroniums in the garden and in the wild. Hortus, no. 91, p. 26-36.

McGuire, A. David, et al. Sensitivity of the carbon cycle in the Arctic to climate change. Ecological Monographs, v. 79, no. 4, p. 523-555.

Mehtatalo, L. and J. Nyblom. Estimating forest attributes using observations of canopy heights: a model-based approach. Forest Science, v. 55, no. 5, p. 411-422.

Schreiber, Sebastian J. and James O. Lloyd-Smith. Invasion dynamics in spatially heterogeneous environments. The American Naturalist, v. 174, no. 4, p. 490-505.

There is still time to register for November's class on Darwin and his work with plants!

2009-10-19T12:59:00.005-05:00

Charles Darwin, Botanist
November 11-18, 2009
Michael Stieber, Library Administrator and Reference Librarian, The Morton Arboretum

Delve deeper into Charles Darwin's life, his trip around the world, and his pioneering studies of flowering plants. After returning from his voyage on the Beagle (1831-1836), Charles Darwin renewed his childhood interest in plants. By his death in 1882, he had written seven major books on pollinators and pollinating mechanisms, insectivorous plants, the power of movement in plants, one specifically on climbing plants, and a pioneering work on orchid biology. Join Michael to explore the current library exhibit, discuss Darwin's family life and background, the voyage that led to his intense studies on the origin of so many species, and several of his significant contributions to the plant sciences.

Register for this class online or by phone (630) 719-2468.

Color My World, or, Leaves of Change!

2009-10-03T11:05:00.024-05:00

Burnt sienna, raw umber and brick red might remind you of the crayons from your childhood Crayola box, but at The Morton Arboretum we’re starting to use these very words to describe our leaves! It’s autumn and as I walk and drive through the grounds, I’m beginning to see more and more leaves changing colors. With plants from 40 countries, it almost seems like there'll be no end to this beautiful season!

Interested in learning more about color on our grounds? Our very own Color Scout has previewed some colorful Arboretum destinations for you in his weekly color report. Curious why and how leaves change colors? Find out in Why Leaves Change Color.

Interested in reading and sharing some colorful stories? Visit the Sterling Morton Library to check out:
Leaf Man or Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert
The Garden in Autumn by Allen Lacy
Autumn Leaves by Ron Lanner
Sketching Outdoors in Autumn by Jim Arnosky
Pumpkin Heads! By Wendell Minor
Songbird Journeys : four seasons in the lives of migratory birds by Miyoko Chu
On the Wing : American birds in migration by Carol Lerner
Living on the Wind : across the hemisphere with migratory birds by Scott Weidensaul
Autumn across America by Edwin Way Teale

Go for a walk, scramble through the fallen leaves and immerse yourself in an autumn world of burnt sienna, raw umber and brick red at The Morton Arboretum. Whether you’re looking for some information on plants to select for superb fall color, sharing an autumnal story with a wee one or wanting to read a little more in-depth about this vivid season, the Sterling Morton Library has a host of resources awaiting you!

The Heart of Winter : Morton Arboretum Chamber Concert Series 2009-2010

2009-09-30T14:08:00.021-05:00

Each year, The Morton Arboretum presents a fascinating series of chamber concerts. Imagine the opportunity to view the beautiful winter landscapes at the Arboretum while listening to fine music! Enjoy this remarkable season and delve into a diverse melange of performers, instruments and composers. Join us for our 2009-2010 season and revel in the performances of:

Sunday, November 1, 2009 – 2:15 p.m.
Members of the Chicago Philharmonic

Sunday, December 6, 2009 – 2:15 p.m.
Patrick Ball - The Christmas Rose

Sunday, January 10, 2010 – 2:15 p.m.

Cavatina Duo

Sunday, February 7, 2010 – 2:15 p.m.

Millar Brass Quintet

Sunday, March 7, 2010 – 2:15 p.m.
Quintuplex Woodwind Quintet

Originally held in the Sterling Morton Library, all concerts are now presented in the Auditorium of the Thornhill Education Center. After each performance, a reception in the adjoining Founder's Room offers the opportunity to enjoy conversations with the artists and fellow audience members in the splendor of the original library of the Arboretum's founder, Joy Morton.

Tickets:
Individual ticket:

$23.00 for Arboretum members and $28.00 for non-members
5-concert series ticket:

$105.00 for Arboretum members and $130.00 for non-members
Tickets are available at:
On-line at: http://www.mortonarb.org/calendar/article/15504/chamber-concert-series.html

In-person at The Arboretum’s Visitor Center

By phone at 630-725-2066 (Monday through Friday from 9-5)

Via snail mail

Celebrate the heart of winter at the Arboretum and attend an upcoming concert!

Darwin's Flowers Online...

2009-09-24T17:21:00.006-05:00

Our current exhibit, Darwin's Flowers: Unlocking Natural Selection, can now be viewed online. Be sure to save it in your favorites as in the coming months, we will be posting additional content and resources to enhance and expand our exhibit in the library.

Darwin Exhibit in the Daily Herald

2009-09-23T13:21:00.005-05:00

Cathy Maloney has written an interesting article in Neighbor section of the Monday, September 21, Daily Herald. You can read the story here:

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=322113

Darwin's Flowers: Unlocking Natural Selection continues in the library through January 30, 2010.

On the Origins of Bird Species

2009-09-22T17:27:00.005-05:00

This Thursday, September 24th, we'll be having the 4th lecture in our year-long series in evolutionary biology, "Trees of Life." Dr. Trevor Price from the University of Chicago will be joining us to present a talk called "On the Origins of Bird Species," focusing on his work on speciation of birds in the Himalayas.
How do new species of birds originate? Trevor will discuss Darwin's theory of the origin of species through natural selection, and explain how our understanding of speciation has progressed since Darwin's books were published. He will also share highlights from his own research on the gradient of bird species diversity in the Himalayas and insights from his recent book, Speciation in Birds. The talk will be from 7 - 8:30 p.m. in Cudahy Auditorium at The Morton Arboretum.

Registration details for this event can be found at: http://www.mortonarb.org/education.html

Hope to see you at the lecture!

Articles of note in the Sterling Morton Library : September’s offerings

2009-09-18T14:19:00.007-05:00

Martin, Frank Edgerton. Framing the tallgrass prairie. Landscape Architecture, v. 99, no. 9, p. 44-53.
A Missouri farmstead restores native flora.

Meier, C.L., Keyserling K. & Bowman, W.D. Fine root inputs to soil reduce growth of a neighbouring plant via distinct mechanisms dependent on root carbon chemistry. Journal of Ecology, v. 97, no. 5, p. 941-949.

Nelson, Gil. Deciduous native hollies. The American Gardener, v. 88, no. 5, p. 30-34.

The Artist as Explorer

2009-09-10T12:10:00.012-05:00

Have you ever wondered how some of those fabulous botanical illustrations you see at antique shows and galleries came about? Well they may be considered fine art now, but their real purpose was to document the plants and other natural wonders discovered on scientific expeditions.
Register now to learn more about the origins of this fabulous art form.

The Artist as Explorer
Saturday, September 19, 2009, 1-4
Sterling Morton Library
Arlene Widrevitz, Freelance Artist & Rare Print Collection Staff, The Morton Arboretum
$36 (members $30)

Natural history artists have made a significant contribution to the exploration, discovery, and documentation of plants through the centuries. Learn how artists traveled the globe with scientific expeditions. The work of Ferdinand Bauer, Sydney Parkinson, Maria Sybilla Merian, and Maryann North will be discussed. Tea and goodies will be served.

Register for this class online or by phone (630) 719-2468.

Dazzling dragonflies and blue gentians!

2009-09-05T11:43:00.012-05:00

Walking in the Schulenberg Prairie at The Morton Arboretum earlier this week, I was mesmerized by squadrons of dragonflies, a carpet of blue gentians, the scent of Sporobolus heterolepis (a.k.a. prairie dropseed) and lots of tall waving grasses. Rich with the whir of insect wings, flitting finches and the sound of the wind rushing through Indian grass, big bluestem and switchgrass, this area continues to amaze through all four seasons. The prairie is indeed looking very lush in these waning days of summer – a veritable feast for the spirit and soul!

Our collections within the Sterling Morton Library include resources on prairies and prairie plants. The collection ranges from John Weaver’s classic, North American Prairie to Claudia McGehee’s charming children’s book A Tallgrass Prairie Alphabet to The Elemental Prairie featuring watercolors by George Olson. In addition to resources about these plants and this ecosystem, we also have resources about creatures the live in the prairie like Mitchell’s A Dazzle of Dragonflies and Johnsgard’s Prairie Birds : fragile splendor in the Great Plains. Wonder how Native Americans might have used prairie plants? Be sure to review Moerman’s Native American Ethnobotany and Kindscher’s Medicinal Wild Plants of the Prairie : an ethnobotanical guide. Interested in the folklore related to these native plants? Try skimming Gilmore’s Prairie Smoke : a collection of lore of the prairies.

Like the Schulenberg Prairie, the Sterling Morton Library is a rich resource to be savored and explored. The Library is open Tuesday-Friday from 9-5 and Saturday from 10-4. All are welcome and encouraged to use our collections! Arboretum members and active volunteers have borrowing privileges. Located in the Administration and Research Center on the Arboretum's east side, we're just a short walk from the Visitor Center.

Articles of note in the Sterling Morton Library : August’s offerings

2009-08-07T16:10:00.001-05:00

Exhibits to Explore in the Sterling Morton Library

2009-07-25T10:32:00.010-05:00

During this year of celebrations – the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin, the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of the Species and the 100th anniversary of the Burnham Plan - the Sterling Morton Library currently has three special exhibits to explore.

Darwin's Flowers: Unlocking Natural Selection
After returning from his voyage on the Beagle (1831-1836), Charles Darwin renewed his childhood interest in plants. By 1881 he had written seven major books on pollinators and pollinating mechanisms, insectivorous plants, the power of movement in plants, and a pioneering work on orchid biology. This exhibit presents examples of these varied studies as Darwin saw them - supporting evidence for his theory that natural selection is the driving force of evolving life.

Make Big Plans: Daniel Burnham's Vision of an American Metropolis
A photo-panel exhibit created by the Newberry Library for the centennial of the Plan of Chicago. More details about this fascinating project can be found at:
http://burnhamplan100.uchicago.edu/newberryexhibit/

Worth His Salt: Joy Morton and the Plan of Chicago
Through photographs and text discover how Joy Morton, a long-time member of the Commercial Club of Chicago, made significant contributions to the development of the 1909 Plan of Chicago. Curious about other centennial events? The Burnham Plan Centennial site has a number of resources and a list of engaging events at: http://burnhamplan100.uchicago.edu/

If these current exhibits within the Library pique your interest, the following selected resources will further your understanding:

Smith, Carl S.The plan of Chicago : Daniel Burnham and the remaking of the American city, 2006. NA737.B85 S65
Plan of Chicago : prepared under the direction of the Commercial Club during the years MCMVI, MCMVII, and MCMVIII, 1909. REF NA9127.C4C7
Ballowe, James. A man of salt and trees : the life of Joy Morton, 2009. CT9610.M6B3
McGinty, Alice B. Darwin, 2009. J CT9460.D2M4
Schanzer, Rosalyn. What Darwin saw : the journey that changed the world, 2009.
J CT9460.D2S3
Quammen, David. The reluctant Mr. Darwin : an intimate portrait of Charles Darwin and the making of his theory of evolution, 2006. CT 9460.D2Q3
Keynes, R. D. Fossils, finches, and Fuegians : Darwin’s adventures and discoveries on the Beagle, 2003. QH11.K49

Articles of note in the Sterling Morton Library : June/July’s offerings

2009-07-06T14:52:00.001-05:00

Albert, Lisa. Curbside gardens. The American Gardener, v. 88, no. 4, p. 32-37.

Day, Susan D., Gary Watson, P. Eric Wiseman, and J. Roger Harris. Causes and consequences of deep structural roots in urban trees: from nursery production to landscape establishment. Arboriculture & Urban Forestry, v. 35, no. 4, p. 182-191.

Fournier, Ingrid Hekman and Leslie Dryer Edison. Linking science and writing with Two Bad Ants. Science & Children, v. 46, no. 9, p. 41-43.

Johnson, Eric. Succulent choices. Northern Gardener, v. 137, no. 4, p. 39-43.

Kingsbury, Noel. Echinaceas. Gardens Illustrated, no. 150, p. 48-55.

MacDougall, A.S., B. Gilbert and J. M. Levine. Plant invasions and the niche. Journal of Ecology, v. 97, no. 4, p. 609-615.

A collection of curiosities from the Sterling Morton Library

2009-06-30T13:07:00.002-05:00

Stop by the Sterling Morton Library to view a special display highlighting some of the more unusual aspects of our collections.

Curious about the oldest book in the Library’s collection? Feast your eyes on our copy of Pliny’s Historia Naturalis published in 1481. (Published in Parma, Italy – 11 years before Columbus encountered America.)
Ever wonder what else we have in the Library besides books? Take a gander at selections from our collection of butterflies and moths created by naturalist, Sherman Denton, in 1895.
Have you heard of David Fairchild, noted botanist and plant explorer? In preparation for a 1946 lecture in Palm Beach, Florida, he wrote his lecture notes on a sea grape leaf. Stop by to view the actual leaf ... and decipher his remarks!

There are a host of other curious and unique items in this display selected to amuse, intrigue and inform visitors at the recent Open House. Like all good things – the opportunity to view these resources will soon be coming to an end. Stop by the Library before Thursday (July 2nd) afternoon to view these treasures

Independence Day Holiday

2009-06-30T13:07:00.001-05:00

The Sterling Morton Library of The Morton Arboretum will be closed Friday, July 3rd and Saturday, July 4th in celebration of Independence Day. We will reopen to the public on Tuesday, July 7th. Wishing you a safe and happy holiday!

The Sterling Morton Library is open Tuesday – Friday from 9-5 and Saturday from 10-4.

Open House at The Morton Arboretum

2009-06-26T11:47:00.002-05:00

Sunday, June 28th, is the Arboretum's Open House. This is a time when we open up our doors/labs/offices from noon until 4:00 p.m to the world! During this event, we invite you to visit the Sterling Morton Library and learn more about what we do. On the event schedule there is a wide variety of activities, but of special note (and because this is the Sterling Morton Library blog) are the activities hosted by the Library. Open house attendees in the Library will have the opportunity to:

Meet Jim Ballowe, author of the recently published biography – A Man of Salt and Trees : the life of Joy Morton
Discover wood engraving techniques with artist, Arlene Widrevitz
View examples of wood engraved illustrations in our collections
Preview our new exhibit, Darwin's Flowers: Unlocking Natural Selection
Listen to Rabbit Ears, flute and guitar duo, in the May T. Watts Reading Garden
Meet with Library staff to learn more about our collections
View a selection of unusual items from our special collections that are seldom on display

There will be lots of opportunities to meet Library staff and gain an exclusive perspective on our work and passion. For complete details about the event and registration information, please see:
http://www.mortonarb.org/calendar/article/13549/member-open-house-.html

Hope to see you on Sunday!

Raindrops on roses and ... rain gardens!

2009-06-13T11:12:00.005-05:00

Usually this time of the year, I’ve started to log some serious hours in my garden --tethered to a hose and clutching a water wand as I minister to a wilted plant. In northern Illinois, we oftentimes experience extended dry periods during the growing season. This year, however, is different. We have been receiving consistent rainfall throughout the spring – the Morton Arboretum looks spectacular! The combination of cool, wet weather has created lots of luxurious growth on plants ranging from the sweet peas outside the Library entrance to the conifers along the walk to Frost Hill. It is a great time to be gardening or, at least, to be an admirer of gardens!
Making the most of resources is something that gardeners seem to do especially well. The following resources available in the Sterling Morton Library explore making the most of a very precious resource – our rainwater:

Ciesinski, Therese. "Rain Check." Organic Gardening 55.6 (Aug. 2008): 62-66.
Davis, Julie Bawden. "Showering of Gifts." Native Plants 22.4 (Summer 2006): 24-29.
Doyle, Janice J. "What about Rain Gardens?" National Gardener 77.3 (Summer 2006): 26-27.
Dunnett, Nigel and Andy Clayden. Rain Gardens : Managing Water Sustainably in the Garden and Designed Landscape. Portland, Or.: Timber Press, 2007. SB475.83 .D86
Fortnam, Joanna. "Let it Rain." Garden Design (June 2006): 62-63.
Haapoja, Margaret A. "Rain, Rain -- Grow Away!." Northern Gardener 133.2 (Mar. 2005): 40-43.
Loven, Zazel. "Your Natural Landscape." Organic Gardening 54.3. (Apr. 2007): 52-57.
Maloney, Cathy Jean. "Let It Rain." Chicagoland Gardening 11.2 (Mar. 2005): 70-74.
Reas, Lisa. "Rain Gardens." Garden Gate (Apr. 2009): 6-7.
Rottle, Nancy, and Anna O'Connell. "Designing and Rating Sustainable Sites." Public Garden 20.4 (Dec. 2005): 35-36.

Additional resources are available at:

Rain Gardens by Jack Broughton
Rain Gardens: a how-to Manual for Homeowners by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the University of Wisconsin Extension
Rain Gardens—Using Spectacular Wetland Plantings to Reduce Runoff by Janet Marinelli

Come in out of the rain and peruse these resources in the Sterling Morton Library! Remember: the Library is open Tuesday through Friday from 9-5 and Saturday from 10-4.

CBHL Literature Awards Recognize Excellence in Botanical and Horticultural Literature

2009-06-01T12:33:00.007-05:00

The Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries, Inc. (CBHL) presented its tenth Annual Literature Awards on May 13, 2009. This presentation was made during the Council’s 41st annual meeting hosted by the Missouri Botanical Garden. The Annual Literature Award, created to recognize significant contributions to the literature of botany and horticulture, honored three exceptional resources this year. Genera Palmarum : the Evolution and Classification of Palms by John Dransfield, Natalie W. Uhl, Conny B. Asmussen, William J. Baker, Madeline M. Harley, and Carl E. Lewis and published by Kew Publishing has won the 2009 award in the Technical category. Fruits and Plains : The Horticultural Transformation of America by Philip J. Pauly and published by Harvard University Press has won the 2009 award in the General Interest category. In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the CBHL Annual Literature Award, a Special Recognition Award was presented to TL-2, more formally known as Taxonomic Literature : a Selective Guide to Botanical Publications and Collections with Dates, Commentaries and Types, 2nd edition. This monumental work is one of the most important resources in taxonomic literature. Originally created by Frans Antonie Stafleu and Richard S. Cowan, this resource was most recently continued by Laurence J. Dorr, Erik A. Mennega and Dan H. Nicolson and honored by CBHL for significant contributions to the literature of botany and the study of plants.
Genera Palmarum was nominated for consideration by Lawrence Currie, Librarian of the California Academy of Sciences Library, who wrote: “The high production quality of this book, coupled with the comprehensive coverage of the subject, will certainly make this the standard reference on palms for many years to come.” Among a field of very good nominees, this work stood out. More than just an update of the first edition, the second edition of Genera Palmarum represents a synthesis of the most current data available on the palms. While the bulk of the book comprises a detailed description of the palm genera, many other aspects are also detailed, such as morphology, palynology, paleobotany, biogeography, and conservation. Nearly anything that a researcher could need to know about palms is in this book.

Fruits and Plains : the Horticultural Transformation of America by Philip J. Pauly has been described as a “provocative and persuasive re-interpretation of several interrelated research fields; namely American plant pathology, biogeography, and cultural history. Moreover, it was a brilliant and novel re-interpretation of nineteenth-century American history using American cultivated plants as a primary resource.” (Thomas J. Schlereth, U. of Notre Dame, in Arnoldia, 66:28-31). This final work of Pauly’s has been honored with the award because “… this historical account of the ways horticulture shaped the American landscape would offer readers a new understanding of what it meant and means to be native, naturalized, or alien. And we hoped that, by understanding the values that shaped the landscape around us, readers of this book would be better able to manage that landscape today.” (Jane Maienschein, President of the History of Science Society).

The Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries, Inc. is the leading professional organization in the field of botanical and horticultural information services. It recognizes the critical importance of collecting, preserving, and making accessible the accumulated knowledge about plants for present and future generations. For more information, visit its web site at http://www.cbhl.net.

Articles of note in the Sterling Morton Library : May’s offerings

2009-05-05T13:48:00.002-05:00

Arbor day from the Institutional Archives

2009-04-21T16:29:00.001-05:00

From the Institutional Archives:
ARBOR DAY IN ILLINOIS
JUNE 27, 1949

“Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:
Section 1. The last Friday in April of each year is designated as Arbor and Bird Day, to be observed throughout the State as a day for planting trees, shrubs and vines about the homes and along the highways and about public grounds within this State, and for holding appropriate exercises in the public schools and elsewhere to show the value of trees and birds and the necessity of their protection, thus contributing to the comforts and attractions of our State.”
This law enacted by the 66th General Assembly was signed into law on June 27, 1949, by Governor Adlai E. Stevenson.

ARBOR DAY IN OMAHA, NEBRASKA
Friday, April 21, 1950

“Planting of six Douglas firs by Omaha’s Junior Foresters at World War II Memorial Park Friday morning started Omaha’s observance of Arbor Day…Acceptances came from Dr. Clarence S. Godshalk, director of the Morton Arboretum at Lisle, Ill…A guest with Dr. Godshalk was Mrs. Raymond Watts, educational director of the Morton Arboretum. Two of the trees were dedicated to J. Sterling Morton, founder of Arbor Day, and his son, the late Joy Morton. One was dedicated to Mrs. Jean Morton Cudahy, Joy Morton’s daughter, who is chairman of the board of trustees of the Morton Arboretum, and one was for Dr. Godshalk…City and County offices and banks will be closed for the official Arbor Day observance Saturday” [J. Sterling Morton’s birthday – the official Arbor Day in Nebraska]. -- Omaha World-Herald.

The above historical items came to my attention, while categorizing piles of institutional correspondence (1922-1965) that three assiduous volunteers and I have been sorting, once a week, for the past year. It was refreshing to run across a letter from the Governor of the State of Illinois – whom we can be proud of – who signed the law that officially established Arbor Day as a holiday in Illinois. It also seems fitting to recall that in 1950 Clarence Godshalk, the first director of The Morton Arboretum, and May T. Watts attended a special ceremony in Omaha, representing Mrs. Jean Morton Cudahy, who was invited but could not attend. – Michael T. Stieber

Celebrate trees at The Morton Arboretum - Arbor Week, April 18-26!

2009-04-16T10:18:00.007-05:00

At the Arboretum's upcoming celebration of trees, Arbor Week, the theme of One Tree Makes a Difference highlights the many contributions made by each and every tree. Trees contribute a host of benefits to our world -- from the basics like shelter, shade, oxygen and food -- to the sublime like enjoyment, enrichment and -- even inspiration! During this upcoming week there will be a whole raft of activities and events at the Arboretum exploring and celebrating trees including tree plantings, children’s activities and our renowned plant sale. For more information about these events, please visit: http://www.mortonarb.org

Arbor Day was originally founded in 1872 by J. Sterling Morton, father of the Arboretum’s founder – Joy. This remarkable celebration has grown to become an international holiday for trees. Celebrated in all fifty states and many different countries, this special day fosters tree planting and tree care. Within the collections of the Sterling Morton Library there are a number of resources focusing on the different aspects of tree care including selection, planting and maintenance -- and some resources that focus specifically on Arbor Day and the Morton Family’s contributions including:

The Arbor Day Lady by Mary L. Hellings - SD363.H4

Arbor Day Manual : an aid to preparing programs for Arbor Day exercises - SD363.S62

J. Sterling Morton by James Olson - CT9610.M6 O4 1972
A Man of Salt and Trees : the life of Joy Morton by James Ballowe – CT9610.M6B3

In our children’s collection:
Arbor Day by Diane Burns – J SD363 .B87

J. Sterling Morton : Arbor Day boy by Clyde Moore - J CT9610.M6 M6

In the Suzette Morton Davidson Special Collections:
Arbor Day : its history, observation, spirit and significance with practical selections on tree-planting and conservation, and a nature anthology, 1909.

Arbor Day: its history and observance, 1896.

Arbor Day, 1888.

From articles in selected journals:
Arbor Day in Flower & Garden, April 1990, v. 34, no. 2, p. 8.

Arbor Day : a Morton tradition by Richard Hootman in The Morton Arboretum Quarterly, v. 30, no. 1, p. 1-5.

The Man who started Arbor Day by Hal Borland in The Morton Arboretum Quarterly, v. 8, no. 1, p. 6-8.

Arbor Day : the first 100 years by H. J. Banker in American Forests, v. 78, no. 4, p. 8-11, 60-61.

At this special time of the year, we invite you to visit the Arboretum and the Sterling Morton Library and learn how one tree makes a difference!

Happy Arbor Week!

Spring wildflowers at The Morton Arboretum

2009-04-10T11:43:00.009-05:00

With each walk that I take at the Arboretum, I’m seeing signs of some of our early spring wildflowers. Bloodroot, Dutchman’s breeches, toothwort and the aptly named spring beauty will soon be making their appearances on our grounds. As the weather begins to moderate, our woodlands will soon be in full bloom with a number of our spring ephemerals. Interested in learning more about the identification of these plants? Wonder about how to grow these wildflowers in your garden? Charmed by the folklore surrounding these harbingers of spring? Visit the Sterling Morton Library and delve into some of our resources before (or after) a woodland walk:

Coffey, Timothy. The history and folklore of North American wildflowers, c1993.
Cullina, William. The New England Wild Flower Society guide to growing and propagating wildflowers of the United States and Canada, 2000.
Eifert, Virginia. Flowers that bloom in the spring : spring comes to Illinois--and with it come wild flowers which are part of the picture of springtime, 1952.
Loewer, H. Peter. The wild gardener : on flowers and foliage for the natural border, c1991.
Martin, Laura C. Wildflower folklore, c1984.
Runkel, Sylvan T. Wildflowers of Illinois woodlands, c1979.
Sanders, Jack. Hedgemaids and fairy candles : the lives and lore of North American wildflowers, c1993.
Voss, John. Illinois wild flowers, 1951.
Werner, William E. Life and lore of Illinois wildflowers, 1988.
Wildflower gardens : 60 spectacular plants and how to grow them in your garden, c1999.

Bloodroot line drawing from: USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. Vol. 2: 140.

Articles of note in the Sterling Morton Library : April’s offerings

2009-04-07T08:56:00.001-05:00

These are some recent articles that can be found within the journal collection of the Sterling Morton Library. Please visit the Library to discover the incredible botanical and horticultural resources that await you! If you are unable to visit the Library and interested in reviewing one of these articles, I would be delighted to help you at rhassert@mortonarb.org.

Albert, Lisa. Native plants for water gardens. The American Gardener, v. 88, no. 2, p. 18-23.

Bonter, David N., Sidney A. Gauthreaux Jr. and Therese M. Donovan. Characteristics of important stopover locations for migrating birds: remote sensing with radar in the Great Lakes Basin. Conservation Biology, v. 23, no. 2, p. 440-448.

Harrington, J.A. and E. Kathol. Responses of shrub midstory and herbaceous layers to managed grazing and fire in a North American savanna (oak woodland) and prairie landscape. Restoration Ecology, v. 17, no. 2, p. 234-244.

Mohan, Jacqueline E., Roger M. Cox, and Louis R. Iverson. Composition and carbon dynamics of forests in northeastern North America in a future, warmer world. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, v. 39, no. 2, p. 213-230.

Schaefer, V. Alien invasions, ecological restoration in cities and the loss of ecological memory. Restoration Ecology, v. 17, no. 2, p. 171-176.

Schmakel, Carla. From gardening to nature illustration : a new appreciation of our environment. Illinois Audubon, no. 308, p. 5-9.

Schulz, Kurt E., Audrey Vaughan, and Emilie Remelius. Physiologically based control of invasive Asiatic shrub honeysuckle. Transactions of the Illinois State Academy of Science, v. 102, no. 1 and 2, p. 21-32.

Earth Hour 2009

2009-03-26T07:23:00.008-05:00

1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote -- what will you be doing on March 28th? Learn more about this event and opportunity at: http://www.earthhour.org

Let your voice be heard!

Vegetable Gardens, or, Where Cabbage is King!

2009-03-25T09:23:00.006-05:00

Like a general planning the next sortie, this time of the year, gardeners are planning their vegetable gardens. Nursery catalogs are spread out and studied, time is spent pacing around the yard with paper and pencil, and chairs are even drawn to the windows so the eager gardener can further study the landscape. Some of the most interesting and amusing gardens that I’ve visited have include a border of spinach, a run of beets or even a flurry of lettuce – right along the sidewalk by the front door. Savvy gardeners have discovered ways to meld and incorporate the traditional vegetable garden with the home’s landscaping. Recent news about the White House vegetable garden will hopefully encourage people to plant a row of peas, a strip of squash or even a ribbon of radishes. Short on space or time? Consider creating several compact container vegetable gardens. These are some of the resources in the Sterling Morton Library that will help the home vegetable gardener:

The American Horticultural Society encyclopedia of gardening, 1993.
Bartholomew, Mel. Square foot gardening, c1981.
Bartley, Jennifer R. Designing the new kitchen garden : an American potager handbook, 2006.
Bradley,Fern Marshall. Vegetable gardening : from planting to picking : the complete guide to creating a bountiful garden, c2006.
Bubel, Nancy. The new seed-starters handbook, c1988.
Chambers, David. Vegetable gardening, 1994.
Coleman, Eliot. The new organic grower : a master's manual of tools and techniques for the home and market gardener, 1995.
Creasy, Rosalind. The complete book of edible landscaping, c1982.
Crockett, James Underwood. Crockett's victory garden, c1977.
Harris, Linda D. Growing seeds! : starting from scratch, c1999.
Heffernan, Maureen. Burpee seed starter : a guide to growing flower, vegetable, and herb seeds indoors and outdoors, c1997.
Kitchen gardens : beyond the vegetable patch, c1998.
Kite, L. Patricia. Gardening wizardry for kids, c1995.
Lerner, Carol. My backyard garden, 1997.
Nardozzi, Charlie. Vegetable gardening for dummies, c1999.
Ogden, Samuel R. Step-by-step to organic vegetable growing,1971.
Pavord, Anna. The new kitchen garden, 1996.
Salad gardens : gourmet greens and beyond, c1995.
Taylor's guide to vegetables & herbs, 1987.
Weaver, William Woys. Heirloom vegetable gardening : a master gardener's guide to planting, growing, seed saving, and cultural history, 1997.

A Man of Salt and Trees : the life of Joy Morton

2009-03-17T14:37:00.010-05:00

At last! James Ballowe’s biography of Joy Morton, The Morton Arboretum’s founder, is tantalizingly close to publication. Jim made extensive use of the Sterling Morton Library’s Archives in preparation of this work which is the first full-length biography of Morton. “Using the voluminous correspondence of the Morton family, Ballowe tells the story of the Nebraska farm boy who grew up to be a small town banker who became a leading citizen of Chicago and Illinois and a major figure in the nation’s economic and technological development during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.” This biography published by Northern Illinois University Press, will be available for purchase at the Arboretum Store.

There will be several upcoming Arboretum events heralding this remarkable book:

Saturday, April 25, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Arboretum Store
Meet Jim Ballowe, author of "A Man of Salt and Trees: The Life of Joy Morton." Jim will sign copies and answer questions about his book documenting the life of Joy Morton, founder of the Arboretum and the Morton Salt Company.

Saturday, May 16, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., Thornhill Education Center
Salt, Chicago, and Trees: Joy Morton’s Life
Register for this class within the Arboretum’s Education Program to learn more about Joy’s contributions to the City of Chicago, the Burnham Plan and the State of Illinois.

Thursday, June 11, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Sterling Morton Library
Jim will join the Library’s book discussion group, Leafing Through the Pages, for a discussion of Joy Morton and this biography.

Sunday, June 28, 12 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Sterling Morton Library
As part of The Morton Arboretum's Open House, Jim will be signing copies of his book and answering questions about his research. In addition to meeting the author, visitors will have the opportunity to view images and artifacts associated with Joy Morton from the Library's Special Collections.

Nursery Catalogs : a feast for the gardeners' eyes and the soul!

2009-03-13T11:44:00.002-05:00

This time of the year, a gardener’s fancy turns to the nursery catalogs that are beginning to fill up our virtual and snail mailboxes. Ever hopeful, the gardener is able to view and purchase new and wondrous plants through these catalogs. The Sterling Morton Library holds an extensive collection of current nursery catalogs. Resources such as Plant Information Online and Cornucopia II help navigate this current collection.

In addition to a robust collection of current catalogs, we also have a collection of historic nursery catalogs. Ever wonder what catalogs homeowners and gardeners were studying in 1896? Rich with illustrations, unusual plant names (a pumpkin named King of the Mammoths or an onion called Prizetaker) and early horticultural information, these early catalogs present a historic snapshot of the gardening world. Visit the Sterling Morton Library and prowl through this treasure trove of botanical and horticultural resources!

The Sterling Morton Library is located in the Administration and Research Building of The Morton Arboretum, southwest of the Visitor Center. Library patron parking is available in the parking lot adjacent to the Research and Administration Building.

The Sterling Morton Library is open:
Tuesday through Friday from 9 -5
Saturday from 10-4

Orchid madness -- UPDATE!

2009-03-04T11:53:00.005-06:00

This update comes from Michael Stieber, our library administrator:

Do Orchids interest & fascinate you? If so, perhaps the following Trees of Life lecture will please you.

Peter Bernhardt and Retha Meier - both orchid biologists at St. Louis University and the Missouri Botanical Garden - will speak about Darwin's orchids and orchid books "with plenty of surprises for the audience" here at The Morton Arboretum.

The official title of their full color, full of orchids presentation in the Sterling Morton Library, March 10, Tuesday night, from 7 to 8.30 pm, is "Charles Darwin: The Flowering of Evolutionary Theory (1862 - the present day).

Bernhardt is an entertaining writer as well - 4 books for the general reader on many unusual and remarkable plants and lifestyles among the plants (The Rose's Kiss, Wily Violets Underground, Gods and Godesses in the Garden, for example). The Arboretum Store's Book Buyer will be on hand with copies of books to sell & Peter will be happy to autograph any and all.

Please mark your calendar and come learn fascinating secrets of orchids and Darwin's pioneering work on it that led Bernhardt and Meier to continue the investigations today in Australia and elsewhere.

Complete details can be found HERE.

Orchid madness!

2009-03-03T12:52:00.010-06:00

Looking for a way to beat those winter blues? (Will winter ever end?) Well if it is flowers you crave then I think I have just the answer. If you hurry, you can catch the last weekend of Orchids by Hausermann's annual open house. You can find complete details on their website.

And if you want to figure out how to care for those orchids once you buy them, then stop by the library to browse our collections on indoor orchid care and culture. Interested in painting or drawing orchids? The orchid business? Growing your own? We can help with that too!

Here are a few suggestions:

The best orchids for indoors. Brooklyn Botanic Garden. 2004.
SB409 .B49

The forgotten orchids of Alexandre Brun by Phillip Cribb. 1992.
OVERSIZE QK500.97 .C73

Growing hardy orchids by John Tullock. 2005.
SB409 .T84

Orchid fever : a horticultural tale of love, lust, and lunacy by Eric Hansen. 2000.
SB409 .H36

The orchid in lore and legend by Luigi Berliocchi, 2000
SB409 .B47
The orchid paintings of Franz Bauer by Joyce Stewart, 1993
SB409.3 .S74

Articles of note in the Sterling Morton Library : March’s offerings

2009-03-02T16:22:00.000-06:00

Articles of note in the Sterling Morton Library : February's offerings

2009-02-23T15:02:00.001-06:00

These are some recent articles that can be found within the journal collection of the Sterling Morton Library. Please visit the Library to discover the incredible botanical and horticultural resources that await you! If you are unable to visit the Library and interested in reviewing one of these articles, I would be delighted to help you at rhassert@mortonarb.org.

Boulter, Michael. Darwin’s outdoor laboratory. Gardens Illustrated, no. 146, p. 56-59.
"To mark the bicentenary of Charles Darwin’s birth, Michael Boulter visits the Kent garden where the great naturalist developed his epoch-making theory of evolution."

Andrews, Jenny. A change in the weather : global warming has become a hot-button issue worldwide, but what does it mean in our own backyards? Garden Design, no. 157, p. 74-81.

Davis, Julie Bawden. Violet reaction : native violets have a classic place in the American landscape. Wildflower, v. 25, no. 3, p. 12-19.

Miller-Rushing, Abraham J. and Richard B. Primack. The impact of climate change on the flora of Thoreau’s Concord. Arnoldia, v. 66, no. 3, p. 2-9.

Reas, Lisa. Rain gardens : filter rain water and beautify your yard! Garden Gate, issue 86, p. 6-9.

Tanentzap, A. J. and Bazely, D. R. 2008. Propagule pressure and resource availability determine plant community invasibility in a temperate forest understorey. Oikos, v. 118, no. 2, p. 300-308.

Verhoeven, Koen J.F., Arjen Biere, Jeffrey A. Harvey and Wim H. van der Putten. Plant invaders and their novel natural enemies: who is naive? Ecology Letters, v. 12, no. 2, p. 107-117.

The Grand Adventure of Reading

2009-02-14T15:13:00.006-06:00

Participants in Leafing Through the Pages, the book discussion group of the Sterling Morton Library, have recently read and discussed two noteworthy works. In January, we read Kenneth Helphand’s Defiant Gardens : making gardens in wartime and this month we explored Michael Frome’s Strangers in High Places : the story of the Great Smoky Mountains. As you can imagine these were two very different stories and discussions. As disparate as they might seem they also shared some commonalities. Each work focused on individuals with passion and vision who create/preserve precious green spaces.

At the gatherings, additional resources were presented from the collections of the Sterling Morton Library including books and artwork. Additional resources relating to these books can be found at:

Defiant Gardens – the online extension

NPR interview with Helphand

2007 EDRA/Places Award

Michael Frome - text of his 1984 Horace M. Albright Lecture on Conservation presented at Berkeley
Great Smoky Mountains

Interested in joining in an upcoming discussion? Here’s the program for the remainder of 2009:
March 12, 2009 - Dillard, Annie. Teaching a stone to talk : expeditions and encounters, 1982.
April 9, 2009 - Friedman, Thomas. Hot, flat and crowded : why we need a green revolution--and how it can renew America, 2008.
May 14, 2009 - Smith, Carl. The plan of Chicago : Daniel Burnham and the remaking of the American city, 2006.
June 11, 2009 - Ballowe, James. A man of salt and trees : the life of Joy Morton, 2009.
July 9, 2009 - Maloney, Cathy Jean. Chicago gardens : the early history, 2008.
August 13, 2009 - Johnson, Wendy. Gardening at the dragon’s gate : at work in the wild and cultivated world, 2008.
September 10, 2009 - Campanella, Thomas J. Republic of shade : New England and the American elm, 2003.
October 8, 2009 - Koeppel, Dan. Banana : the fate of the fruit that changed the world, 2008.
November 12, 2009 - Kull, Robert. Solitude : seeking wisdom in extremes : a year alone in the Patagonia wilderness, 2008.

December 10, 2009 - Zwinger, Ann. Wind in the rock, 1978.

Hope you will join us for at some future gathering!

Articles of note in the Sterling Morton Library : January’s offerings

2009-01-19T16:57:00.000-06:00

Leafing Through the Pages - 2009

2008-12-31T13:37:00.006-06:00

The nominations were made, the votes have been tallied and the list has been compiled. Leafing Through the Pages, the book discussion group of the Sterling Morton Library, will be reading and discussing the following works during 2009:

January 8, 2009 - Helphand, Kenneth. Defiant gardens : making gardens in wartime, 2006.
February 12, 2009 - Frome, Michael. Strangers in high places : the story of the Great Smoky Mountains, 1966.
March 12, 2009 - Dillard, Annie. Teaching a stone to talk : expeditions and encounters, 1982.
April 9, 2009 - Friedman, Thomas. Hot, flat and crowded : why we need a green revolution--and how it can renew America, 2008.
May 14, 2009 - Smith, Carl. The plan of Chicago : Daniel Burnham and the remaking of the American city, 2006.
June 11, 2009 - Ballowe, Jim. A man of salt and trees : the life of Joy Morton, 2009.
July 9, 2009 - Maloney, Cathy Jean. Chicago gardens : the early history, 2008.
August 13, 2009 - Johnson, Wendy. Gardening at the dragon's gate : at work in the wild and cultivated world, 2008.
September 10, 2009 - Campanella, Thomas J. Republic of shade : New England and the American elm, 2003.
October 8, 2009 - Koeppel, Dan. Banana : the fate of the fruit that changed the world, 2008.
November 12, 2009 - Kull, Robert. Solitude : seeking wisdom in extremes : a year alone in the Patagonia wilderness, 2008.
December 10, 2009 - Zwinger, Ann. Wind in the rock, 1978.

Full particulars: Meeting the second Thursday of each month from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. in the Sterling Morton Library of The Morton Arboretum

Join us for a morning of spirited conversation, discussion and dialogue!

Articles of note in the Sterling Morton Library : December’s offerings

2008-12-17T13:18:00.011-06:00

Suchecki, Paul F. and David J. Gibson. Loss of Cornus florida L. leads to significant changes in the seedling and sapling strata in an eastern deciduous forest. Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society, v. 135, no. 4, p. 506-515.

Vanderwel, Mark C., Hilary C. Thorpe, Jennifer L. Shuter, John P. Caspersen, and Sean C. Thomas. Contrasting downed woody debris dynamics in managed and unmanaged northern hardwood stands. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, v. 38, no. 11, p. 2850-2861.

Discover the plants of the winter solstice!

Our morning with Joel!

2008-12-13T14:17:00.004-06:00

Joel Greenberg, author and raconteur, joined us at Thursday’s gathering of Leafing Through the Pages, the book discussion group of the Sterling Morton Library. The group had selected his recently published Of prairie, woods, & water : two centuries of Chicago nature writing for our final discussion of the year. Happily, Joel agreed to join us and share his unique insight/stories/color about nature writing and nature writers of our region.

The Sterling Morton Library has an extensive collection of works by and about many of these writers including May T. Watts, Donald Culross Peattie, Henry Chandler Cowles, Edwin Way Teale, Jens Jensen, and a host of others! This is a sampling of some of the works on display during our discussion:

Angle, Paul M. Prairie State: impressions of Illinois, 1673-1967, 1968.
Bailey, Eli Stillman. The sand dunes of Indiana : the story of an American wonderland told by camera and pen, 1924, c1917.
Cowles, Henry Chandler. A spring flora for high schools, 1915.
Grese, Robert E. Jens Jensen : maker of natural parks and gardens, 1992.
Long, Judith Reick. Gene Stratton-Porter : novelist and naturalist, 1990.
Pepoon, Herman Silas. An annotated flora of the Chicago area : with maps and many illustrations from photographs of topographic and plant features, 1927.
Quaife, Milo Milton. Checagou : from Indian wigwam to modern city, 1673-1835, 1933.
Swink, Floyd and Gerould Wilhelm. Plants of the Chicago region, 1994.
Tillson, Christiana Holmes. A woman's story of pioneer Illinois, 1919.
Watts, May Theilgaard. Reading the landscape : an adventure in ecology,1957.
Woods, John. Two years' residence in the settlement on the English Prairie, 1968.

During Joel’s meeting with us, he described some interesting natural areas in our region to visit. Since our gathering, a sharp-eyed group member found and forwarded this article by Joel -- A Naturalist's Tour of Southern Lake Michigan. If you weren't able to join us for Thursday’s discussion, there is a terrific WBEZ interview by Donna Seaman with Joel (appropriately presented on Earth Day) on Open Books Radio. Scroll through the page to Non-Fiction, select Joel's interview - and share in their remarkable conversation!

A dusting of snow!

2008-12-03T10:22:00.002-06:00

We recently received our first significant snowfall at the Morton Arboretum. On a recent lunchtime walk through the collections, I was reminded of the singular beauty of this season. Tree architecture and structure often take center stage for intrepid hikers at this time of the year. Consider the sharp contrast between the snow covered ground, the tree’s bark pattern, form, habit and branch outline -- all set against the backdrop of a sapphire blue sky. In addition to trees, shrubs and vines, you'll discover that wildflowers and weeds encrusted with frost and snow also have a simple beauty.

Encouraged to take a winter walk at the Arboretum or through your very own neighborhood? Stop by the Sterling Morton Library and peruse some of these resources:

Tree bark : a color guide by Hugues Vaucher
Bark by Catherine Chambers
Bark : the formation, characteristics, and uses of bark around the world photographs by Kjell B. Sandved ; text by Ghillean Tolmie
Trees in a winter landscape by Alice Upham Smith
Trees in winter : their study and identification by Albert Francis Blakeslee and Chester Deacon Jarvis
Studies of trees in winter : a description of the deciduous trees of northeastern America by Annie Oakes Huntington ; with an introduction by Charles Sprague Sargent
A guide to wildflowers in winter by Carol Levine
Winter : an ecological handbook by James C. Halfpenny, Roy Douglas Ozanne
Weeds in winter written and illustrated by Lauren Brown

The cranes! The cranes! The cranes!

2008-11-22T11:55:00.007-06:00

I kept hearing various rumblings of sandhill crane sightings from Arboretum staff and visitors, but I had yet to witness this fall’s migration. On Thursday and Friday of this week, I was fortunate to have been walking on both the east and west sides of the Arboretum and heard that distinctive call of the cranes. What a pleasure to see these incredible birds flying high overhead! Haven’t seen or heard the cranes yet this season? Make tracks for the Arboretum and keep your eyes on the sky!

More details about the sandhill cranes can be found in these works within the collections of the Sterling Morton Library:

Stone, Lynn M. Sandhill cranes, 1997.
Grooms, Steve. The cry of the sandhill crane, 1992.
Walkinshaw, Lawrence H. The sandhill cranes, 1949.
Gatherings of angels : migrating birds and their ecology, 1999.
Johnsgard, Paul A. Crane music : a natural history of American cranes, 1991.
The Birds of North America, no. 31, 1992.

Additional information can be found at:

Enjoy this annual autumnal treat!

Return to Wild America

2008-11-19T15:26:00.000-06:00

The featured book at Thursday’s gathering of Leafing Through the Pages, the Sterling Morton Library’s book discussion group, was Scott Weidensaul’s Return to wild America : a yearlong search for the continent's natural soul. The conversation about Weidensaul’s adventure was fascinating and presented another perspective on the original journey of Peterson and Fisher recounted in Wild America : the record of a 30,000 mile journey around the continent by a distinguished naturalist and his British colleague.
In addition to our discussion, we gathered a list of potential books to read in 2009. I’ve added this draft to the official Leafing Through the Pages wiki which can be found at: http://leafingthroughthepages.pbwiki.com/ This wiki also includes our reading history detailing what we’ve read since the founding of the discussion group on March 13, 2003. Whew! Lots of great books, stories, poems and conversations!

Enjoy the list and join us at an upcoming discussion!

Articles of note in the Sterling Morton Library : November's offerings

2008-11-17T10:39:00.001-06:00

These are some recent articles that can be found within the journal collection of the Sterling Morton Library. Please visit the Library to discover the incredible botanical and horticultural resources that await you! If you are unable to visit the Library and interested in reviewing one of these articles, I would be delighted to help you at rhassert@mortonarb.org.

Cumming, Anne Buckelew, Daniel B. Twardus, and David J. Nowak. Urban Forest Health Monitoring: Large-Scale Assessments in the United States. Arboriculture & Urban Forestry, v. 34, no. 6, p. 341-346.

Ellis, Barbara. Fall for grasses. Organic Gardening, v. 56, no. 1, p. 66-69.

Klinkenborg, Verlyn. Our vanishing night. National Geographic, v. 214, no. 5, p. 102-109.

Rankin, Rose. Lucky clovers. Chicagoland Gardening, v. 14, no. 6, p. 22-24.
Chicagoland natives – features the native purple prairie clover.

Richardson, Tim. Fit for a president. Gardens Illustrated, no. 142, p. 44-49.
A President’s garden legacy – Thomas Jefferson’s masterpiece at Monticello.

Six, Laura J. and Charles B. Halpern. Substrate effects on distribution, biomass allocation, and morphology of forest understory plants. Botany, v. 86, no. 10, p. 1133-1142.

Swanson, Frederick J., Charles Goodrich and Kathleen Dean Moore. Bridging boundaries: scientists, creative writers, and the long view of the forest. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, v. 6, no. 9, p. 499-504.

Woodward, F. I. and C.K. Kelly. Responses of global plant diversity capacity to changes in carbon dioxide concentration and climate. Ecology Letters, v. 11, no. 11, p. 1229-1237.

Enjoy these fine autumn days!

New exhibit opens in the Sterling Morton Library

2008-11-01T10:39:00.001-05:00

Visit the Sterling Morton Library of The Morton Arboretum and delve into our new exhibit : Humboldt & Darwin Explore New Worlds, 1799–1836

Explore the adventures of Alexander von Humboldt and Charles Darwin on their remarkable journeys through South America. Works from our circulating and special collections highlight their adventures and discoveries. Additional information about these two naturalists can be found in this selection of works from the Library’s collections:

Adams, Alexander B. Eternal quest : the story of the great naturalists, 1969.
Darwin, Charles. Charles Darwin's notebooks, 1836-1844 : geology, transmutation of species, metaphysical enquiries, 1987.
Darwin, Charles. The Autobiography of Charles Darwin and selected letters, 1958.
Darwin, Charles. The voyage of Charles Darwin : his autobiographical writings, 1979.
Dolan, Edward F. Green universe : the story of Alexander von Humboldt, 1959.
Freeman, R. B. Charles Darwin : a companion, 1978.
Helferich, Gerard. Humboldt's cosmos : Alexander von Humboldt and the Latin American journey that changed the way we see the world, 2004.
Humboldt, Alexander von. The Humboldt Library : a catalogue of the library of Alexander von Humboldt, 1967.
Kellner, L. Alexander von Humboldt, 1963.
Nicholas, F. W. Charles Darwin in Australia : with illustrations and additional commentary from other members of the Beagle's company including Conrad Martens, Augustus Earle, Captain FitzRoy, Philip Gidley King, and Syms Covington, 1989.
Olby, Robert C. Charles Darwin, 1967.
The great naturalists, 2007.
Von Hagen, Victor Wolfgang. South America called them : explorations of the great naturalists: La Condamine, Humboldt, Darwin, Spruce, 1955.
Zottmann, Thomas Michael. Alexander von Humboldt : scientist, explorer, adventurer, 1961.

Articles of note in the Sterling Morton Library : October’s offerings

2008-10-11T15:02:00.001-05:00

Enjoy these fine autumn days!

The Past is Present!

2008-09-25T13:26:00.003-05:00

Early in 2008, the Sterling Morton Library joined Digital Past.

Digital Past, based at the North Suburban Library System, offers a treasure trove of photographs, postcards, diaries, oral histories, documents, movies, interpretive exhibits, and other historical materials from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural venues throughout Illinois.

Our participation in this effort has provided us with a venue to digitally present a host of our resources to a greater audience. Over the next months, we’ll be continually adding a wide range of resources from our collections to this site. Whew!

Curious about earlier Arboretum publications? The complete run of Plant Information Bulletin has been scanned and is now available for viewing. Questions about searching Digital Past? Please email me at rhassert@mortonarb.org

Be sure to bookmark this site and watch as we add additional resources!

Articles of note in the Sterling Morton Library : August/September’s offerings

2008-09-03T10:37:00.000-05:00

These are some recent articles that can be found within the journal collection of the Sterling Morton Library. Please visit the Library to discover the incredible botanical and horticultural resources that await you! If you are unable to visit the Library and interested in reviewing one of these articles, I would be delighted to help you at rhassert@mortonarb.org.

Arvidson, Adam Regn. Jens Jensen in 2008: how is the master’s legacy holding on in a vastly changed Chicago? Landscape Architecture, v. 98, no. 8, p. 68-76.
This article features the work of Jens Jensen in the Chicagoland community including Columbus Park, Garfield Park and the Becker Estate. Interested in a further exploration of Jensen’s legacy? The Sterling Morton Library has a rich collection of photographs, landscape plans, letters and other items related to this significant landscape architect.

Beahrs, Andrew. The “prairie hens” of Illinois. Living Bird, v. 27, no. 3, p. 22-30.

Dietze, Michael C. and J.S. Clark. Changing the gap dynamics paradigm: vegetative regeneration control on forest response to disturbance. Eclogical Monographs, v. 78, no. 3, p. 331-347.

Isbell, Forest I., David A. Losure, Kathryn A. Yurkonis and Brian J. Wilsey. Diversity–productivity relationships in two ecologically realistic rarity–extinction scenarios. Oikos, v. 117, p. 996-1005.

Lancaster, Roy. China, mother of gardens. Gardens Illustrated, no. 140, p. 68-71.

Lasseigne, F. Todd. Sciadopitys – the other living fossil. Conifer Quarterly, v. 25, no. 3, p. 6-10.

Reich, Peter B., et al. Scaling of respiration to nitrogen in leaves, stems and roots of higher land plants. Ecology Letters, v. 11, no. 8, p. 793-801.

Winter’s Ballad : The Morton Arboretum Chamber Concert Series 2008-2009

2008-08-27T16:46:00.000-05:00

CCM Brass

Sunday, December 7, 2008 – 2:15 p.m.

Callisto Ensemble

Sunday, January 11, 2009 – 2:15 p.m.
Minneapolis Guitar Quartet

Sunday, February 1, 2009 – 2:15 p.m.
Chicago Early Music Consort

Sunday, March 1, 2009 – 2:15 p.m.

Callipygian Players

All concerts are presented in the Auditorium of the Thornhill Education Center. After each performance, a reception in the adjoining Founder's Room offers the opportunity to enjoy conversations with the artists and fellow audience members in the splendor of the original library of the Arboretum's founder, Joy Morton.

Tickets:

Individual ticket: $23.00 – Arboretum members and $28.00 non-members

5-concert series ticket: $105.00 – Arboretum members and $130.00 non-members

Tickets will go on sale on Monday, September 8, and will be available at:
The Arboretum’s Visitor Center
By calling 630-725-2066 (Monday through Friday from 9-5)
Via snail mail

Celebrate the season at the Arboretum and attend an upcoming concert!

The Schulenberg Prairie in Summer!

2008-08-06T16:47:00.002-05:00

My recent visit to the Schulenberg Prairie on an August morning with some Arboretum colleagues was a treat! This prairie restoration found on the west side of The Morton Arboretum was started in 1962 under the nurturing hand of Ray Schulenberg. On our recent visit, the group was greeted by countless drifts of grasses and forbs –- many in bloom. What better way to view and study rattlesnake master, prairie dock, compass plant, big bluestem, Indian grass or lead plant then by witnessing them under a blue Illinois sky? As our group walked through the prairie, I started to consider the remarkable record of how these native plants were used by various communities of people. The Sterling Morton Library has quite an interesting collection of ethnobotanical works to peruse including:

Cherokee plants and their uses : a 400 year history by Paul B. Hamel and Mary U. Chiltoskey
Edible wild plants of the prairie : an ethnobotanical guide by Kelly Kindscher
Ethnobotany of the Forest Potawatomi Indians by Huron H. Smith
Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians by Huron H. Smith
How Indians use wild plants for food, medicine and crafts by Frances Denmore
Indian uses of native plants by Edith Van Allen Murphey
Medicinal wild plants of the prairie : an ethnobotanical guide by Kelly Kindscher
Native American ethnobotany by Daniel E. Moerman
Prairie smoke : a collection of lore of the prairies by Melvin Gilmore
Uses of plants by the Indians of the Missouri River Region by Melvin R. Gilmore

Before or after your visit the Schulenberg Prairie, stop by the Sterling Morton Library and discover this rich collection of resources!

Articles of note in the Sterling Morton Library : July’s offerings

2008-07-21T14:36:00.001-05:00

These are some recent articles that can be found within the journal collection of the Sterling Morton Library. Please visit the Library to discover the incredible botanical and horticultural resources that await you! If you are unable to visit the Library and are interested in reviewing one of these articles, I would be delighted to help you at rhassert@mortonarb.org.

Dale, P. In an Irish garden : Kilmokea. Hortus, no. 85, p. 35-47.

Hong, C., P.A. Richardson, and P. Kong. Pathogenicity to ornamental plants of some existing species and new taxa of Phytophthora from irrigation water. Plant Disease, v. 92, no. 8, p. 1201-1207.

Li, J. and P. Del Tredici. The Chinese Parrotia : a sibling species of the Persian Parrotia. Arnoldia, v. 66, no. 1, v. 66, no. 1, p. 2-9.

Lilly, b. From forest to bluff, shade to sun: Heronswood to Windcliff. Pacific Horticulture, v. 69, no. 3, p. 31-34.

Qian, H. and B.L. Dolbeare. Exotic plants of Illinois. The Living Museum, v. 70, no. 1, p. 3-10.

Schuler, Barbara K. Water garden design. American Nurseryman, v. 208, #2, p. 14-18.

Article from the past:
Shrubs for midsummer bloom by E. Lowell Kammerer in the Bulletin of Popular Information, August 1936, v. 11, no. 8, p. 31-34.

“… there is no excuse whatsoever for the scarcity of blossom in our shrubbery plantings after the first of July.”

Reading this article is like venturing into a horticultural time machine! Written 72 years ago, Kammerer describes selected shrubs that will lengthen the season of bloom in our Midwestern gardens. Of special note within his list is Amorpha canescens (Lead-plant), described by the author as growing “on one of the Arboretum’s cherished possessions.”

Metamorphosis and Transformation

2008-07-12T14:47:00.002-05:00

On Thursday, the Sterling Morton Library’s book discussion group gathered to discuss the remarkable life of Maria Sibylla Merian. Her life, adventures and contributions are recounted in this month’s reading selection, Chrysalis : Maria Sibylla Merian and the secrets of metamorphosis, by Kim Todd. Daughter of noted engraver Matthaus Merian the Elder, Maria was born in Frankfurt in April 1647. When she was three, her father died and a year later her mother married Jacob Marrel, a painter and art dealer. Encouraged to draw at an early age, she became a keen artist and naturalist. During and after her early marriage and birth of her children, she continued to study and draw insects and teach students. She became particularly interested in the lifecycle of caterpillars and butterflies, exploring this transformative process and struggled to illustrate all the stages of their development. During this time she also pursued a personal transformation, leaving her husband, joining the Labadist religious community and eventually moving to Amsterdam. In pursuit of her artistic and scientific interests, she then left Europe with her youngest daughter, Dorothea Maria, in June of 1699 to travel to the Dutch colony of Suriname. During her work in Suriname, she observed and illustrated the insect world and the plants connected to this life process. Living and working in this northern South American country for about two years, she studied and recorded the local flora and fauna. Returning to the Netherlands in 1701, she continued to illustrate the remarkable process of metamorphosis and eventually published her work. Whew! What an adventure! Her life and work were groundbreaking for many personal and professional reasons especially considering the fact that she was one of the earliest naturalists to observe insects directly.

It was a treat to discuss and consider this remarkable life and work at our discussion group gathering. It was especially helpful to view some of the works from our collections related to the Merian family:
Several works illustrated by her father, Matthaus Merian the Elder.
A book published by her beloved half brother, Caspar Merian.

Works by Maria Sibylla Merian. The present exhibit in the Sterling Morton Library has on display a Dutch translation (1719) of her seminal work - Metamorphosis insectorum Sarinamensium. This 1719 edition was published after Maria's death by her youngest daughter and Suriname traveling companion, Dorothea Maria.
Also in our collection are two exquisite original works by her eldest daughter, Johanna Helena Herolt. These watercolor and gouache works on vellum depict flowers and the accompanying insect lifecycles.

External resource of special note:

Presently, there is a wonderful exhibit at the J. Paul Getty Museum entitled Maria Sibylla Merian & Daughters: Women of Art and Science. This exhibit "charts the artistic and scientific explorations of German artist Maria Sibylla Merian (1647–1717) and her daughters Johanna Helena and Dorothea Maria." If you are unable to view this exhibit at the Getty in-person, be sure to view it on-line!

New resources in the Sterling Morton Library

2008-07-02T09:23:00.005-05:00

Each week, we add new resources to our collections in the Sterling Morton Library. Some recent acquisitions include:

Planning to visit the Arboretum soon? Stop by the cool and refreshing Sterling Morton Library and peruse some of our new resources!

Open House at The Morton Arboretum

2008-06-24T14:48:00.005-05:00

For many of us, the phrase “open house” conjures up images of houses for sale or parent/teacher conferences. On Sunday, June 29th, we’ll be putting an Arboretum spin on the whole of notion of an open house by opening up our doors/labs/offices from noon until 4:00 p.m. In addition to summertime treats of ice cream and lemonade served in an expansive tent, we invite you to visit the Sterling Morton Library during this special time and learn more about what we do. On the event schedule there is a wide variety of activities, but of special note (and because this is the Sterling Morton Library blog) are the activities hosted by the Library.

Open house attendees will have the opportunity to:

View a short film from Joy Morton’s 70th birthday party (circa 1925)
Meet Joel Greenberg, noted author and naturalist
Explore botanical art techniques used within Arboretum art classes and our very own collection
Meet Carol Lerner, noted artist and author
Learn about volunteer projects in the Library
Visit the May T. Watts Reading Garden and find out about espalier
Discover a rich collection of birding works
Encounter a host of gardening and landscape design resources
View 18th century works by Merian and Catesby
Find out about our natural history resources
Meet with Education staff to learn about our lifelong learning opportunities
Listen to a children’s story

There will be lots of opportunities to meet Library staff, volunteers and other Arboretum colleagues and gain a unique perspective on our work and our passion. Complete details about the event and registration information can be found here.

Hope to see you on Sunday!

Articles of note in the Sterling Morton Library : June’s offerings

2008-06-17T14:01:00.002-05:00

These are some recent articles that can be found within the journal collection of the Sterling Morton Library. Please visit the Library to discover the incredible botanical and horticultural resources that await you! If you are unable to visit the Library and interested in reviewing one of these articles, I would be delighted to help you at rhassert@mortonarb.org.

Bagwell, D. The case for oaks in residential land developments. International Oaks, no. 19, p. 7-13.

Pavlis, M., B. Kane, J. R. Harris, and J. R. Seiler. The effects of pruning on drag and bending moment of shade trees. Arboriculture & Urban Forestry, v. 34, no. 4, p. 207-215.

Svatek Ziegler, S., E. R. Larson, J. Rauchfuss, G. P. Elliott. Tree establishment during dry spells at an oak savanna in Minnesota. Tree-Ring Research, v. 64, no. 1, p. 47-54.

Taylor, K. The earliest wildernesses: their meanings and developments. Studies in the History of Gardens & Designed Landscapes, v. 28, no. 2, p. 237-251.

Watson, G. Discoloration and decay in severed tree roots. Arboriculture & Urban Forestry, v. 34, no. 4, p. 260-264.

Wulf, A. Franklinia alatamaha. Garden, v. 133, pt. 6, p. 406-407.
The story of this choice, summer-flowering tree illustrates how the cultivation of some plants can help ensure their survival once wild populations have been lost.

Article from the past:
Some flowering shrubs of early summer interest by E. Lowell Kammerer in the Bulletin of Popular Information, June 1955, v. 30, no. 6, p. 23-26.

Within the essay, this long-time Arboretum staff member considers the butterflybush, fringe tree, sweet bay magnolia and snowball for the summer garden. Included are details about the natural history, habit, cultural requirements and assorted virtues of these woody plants.

Chat with a librarian in the Sterling Morton Library

2008-05-27T10:42:00.003-05:00

The librarians in the Sterling Morton Library at The Morton Arboretum are eager to assist you with your botanical and horticultural questions! If you have a question, you can use the form below to chat with a librarian (no account or login required). Be sure to leave this web page open while you're waiting for a response. Chat is typically available during the open hours of the Sterling Morton Library, Tuesday - Friday from 9-5 and Saturday from 10-4.

Articles of note in the Sterling Morton Library : May’s offerings

2008-05-19T09:05:00.002-05:00

Articles of note in the Sterling Morton Library : April's offerings

2008-04-30T09:16:00.002-05:00

These are some recent articles that can be found within the journal collection of the Sterling Morton Library. Please visit the Library to discover the incredible botanical and horticultural resources that await you! If you are unable to visit the Library and interested in reviewing one of these articles, I would be delighted to help you at rhassert@mortonarb.org.

Elmendorf, W. The importance of trees and nature in community : a review of the relative literature. Arboriculture & Urban Forestry, v. 34, no. 3, p. 152-156.

Ferrini, F., A. Fini, P. Frangi and G. Amoroso. Mulching of ornamental trees : effects on growth and physiology. Arboriculture & Urban Forestry, v. 34, no. 3, p. 157-162.

Kiscellus, L. Versatile, vibrant viburnums. Chicagoland Gardening, v. 14, no. 3, p. 76-79.

Milbau, A. and J.C. Stout. Factors associated with alien plants transitioning from casual, to naturalized, to invasive. Conservation Biology, v. 22, no. 2, p. 308-317.

Nabhan, G. The fatherland of apples : the origins of a favorite fruit and the race to save its native habitat. Orion, v. 27, no. 3, p. 32-37.

Opdam, P. and E. Steingrover. Designing metropolitan landscape for biodiversity : deriving guidelines from metapopulation ecology. Landscape Journal, v. 27, no. 1, p. 69-80.

Sammons, J. D. and D. K. Struve. Monitoring effective container capacity : a method for reducing over-irrigation in container production systems. Journal of Environmental Horticulture, v. 26, no. 1, p.19-23.

Toman, E. L., B. Shindler, J. Absher, and S. McCaffrey. Postfire communications : the influence of site visits on local support. Journal of Forestry, v. 106, no. 1, p. 25-30.

Arbor Day Extravaganza!

2008-04-22T16:00:00.006-05:00

I’ve just returned from our annual employee tree planting held in The Morton Arboretum’s elm collection and I was reminded of this remarkable holiday founded by J. Sterling Morton in 1872. Celebrating the 136th anniversary of this arboreal event, this is the time of year that we celebrate (and plant) trees! Even at the Arboretum where trees are always very much front and center, we all gather together as an employee community -- and plant a tree. This action speaks to our basic beliefs and philosophical underpinnings. As J. Sterling Morton remarked, “Other holidays repose upon the past; Arbor Day proposes for the future.” Each Arbor Day, encourages us to reflect on our heritage. To my mind, like a relay runner, we pass on our "Plant Trees" baton into the future. We’re trying to “pay it forward” with a dendrological twist. Today we planted Ulmus harbinensis, but consider who will visit this same tree in the future for study, shade, research and enjoyment!

As you can surmise, the Sterling Morton Library has a number of historical and modern resources on Arbor Day. Before or after you join in the Arboretum cacophony of activities marking Arbor Day, stop by the Library to delve into these resources:
The Arbor Day lady by Mary L. Hellings - SD363.H4
Arbor Day manual : an aid to preparing programs for Arbor Day exercises - SD363.S62
J. Sterling Morton by James Olson – a biography of the founder of Arbor Day and the father of the Arboretum’s founder, Joy Morton - CT9610.M6 O4 1972

In our children’s collection:
Arbor Day by Diane Burns – J SD363 .B87
J. Sterling Morton : Arbor Day boy by Clyde Moore - J CT9610.M6 M6

In the Suzette Morton Davidson Special Collections:
Arbor day : its history, observation, spirit and significance with practical selections on tree-planting and conservation, and a nature anthology, 1909.
Arbor day: its history and observance, 1896.
Arbor day, 1888.

From selected journals:
Arbor Day in Flower & Garden, April 1990, v. 34, no. 2, p. 8.
Arbor Day : a Morton tradition by Richard Hootman in The Morton Arboretum Quarterly, v. 30, no. 1, p. 1-5.
The Man who started Arbor Day by Hal Borland in The Morton Arboretum Quarterly, v. 8, no. 1, p. 6-8.
Arbor Day : the first 100 years by H. J. Banker in American Forests, v. 78, no. 4, p. 8-11, 60-61.

Other resources:
Today in History: The First Arbor Day from the American Memory Project of the Library of Congress
The history of Arbor Day and a quick list of each state's Arbor Day celebration date and state tree. Arbor Day dates vary from state to state, depending on climate. Most are in March or April, but a few are in other months.

Happy Arbor Day!

That Amazing Insect World

2008-04-04T11:36:00.002-05:00

Join us in the Sterling Morton Library from March 25-August 15, 2008 as we explore That Amazing Insect World, presented in conjunction with The Morton Arboretum's exciting new outdoor exhibition, David Rogers' Big Bugs.

Insects and arachnids have long sparked strong reactions. Some are beautiful and graceful. Some frighten us, while others amuse us. But all serve vital roles in nature. Explore this fascinating and diverse world in the Sterling Morton Library.

With artwork and rare books from our rich collections, this exhibit will lure you to further exploration of the insect world. You’ll be able to delve more deeply into this fascinating world within the Library’s collections — ask the librarians for additional resources!

Articles of note in the Sterling Morton Library : March’s offerings

2008-03-31T13:34:00.001-05:00

These are some recent articles that can be found within the journal collection of the Sterling Morton Library. Please visit the Library to discover the incredible botanical and horticultural resources that await you! If you are unable to visit the Library and interested in reviewing one of these articles, I would be delighted to help you at rhassert@mortonarb.org.

Aguilar, O.M. and T.M. Waliczek, and J.M. Zajicek. Growing environmental stewards : the overall effect of a school gardening program on environmental attitudes and environmental locus of control of different demographic groups of elementary school children. HortTechnology, v. 18, no. 2, p. 243-249.

De Roy, Tui (photographs) and Mark Jones (text) Around their necks. Natural History, 117, no. 3, p. 36-41.
Albatrosses are diverse in form and range, but they share a common problems: people.

McFarland, A.L., T.M. Waliczek, and J.M. Zajicek. The relationship between student use of campus green spaces and perceptions of quality of life. HortTechnology, v. 18, no. 2, p. 232-238.

Rennicke, Jeff. Mary Jane Colter, architect. National Parks, v. 82, no. 2, p.30-35.
Called “the best-known unknown architect in the national parks,” Mary Jane Coulter left her mark on a profession and on our parks.

Richardson, B.A. et al. Influence of host resistance on the genetic structure of the white pine blister rust fungus in the western United States. Phytopathology, v. 98, no. 4, p. 413-420.

Tanley, Laura. Lessons of the flowers. National Wildlife, v. 46, no. 3, p. 24-30.
A pioneering experiment in the Colorado Rockies suggests that climate change models underestimate how fast the world is heating up.

Verrier, Suzanne. No muss, no fuss : rugosa roses. Fine Gardening, no. 121, p. 52-57.
These fragrant, cold-hardy shrubs are the most carefree members of the family.

Wein, Bibi. America’s romance with the oak. Wildflower : the magazine of The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, v. 24, no. 3, p. 12-19.

Earth Hour

2008-03-28T13:50:00.004-05:00

According to an article in Time Magazine, “The average American produces about 20 tons of the major greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) every year.” Whew! In a little over 24 hours, we’ll be able to do something on a grand scale to change this number. Several weeks ago, I ran across a panel discussion about Earth Hour and I’ve been continuing to learn more details about it.

What is Earth Hour?
“Earth Hour, run by WWF, the conservation organisation, is a global climate change initiative which calls on individuals and businesses around the world, to turn off their lights for one hour on Saturday March 29 2008 between 8 pm and 9pm.
The aim of the campaign is to express that individual action on a mass scale can help change our planet for the better.
The event itself will clearly demonstrate in participating cities, the connection between energy usage and climate change, showing that we as broader community can address the biggest threat our planet has ever faced.”

What’s the origin of this event?
“It started with a question: How can we inspire people to take action on climate change?
The answer: Ask the people of Sydney to turn off their lights for one hour.
On 31 March 2007, 2.2 million people and 2100 Sydney businesses turned off their lights for one hour - Earth Hour. If the greenhouse reduction achieved in the Sydney CBD during Earth Hour was sustained for a year, it would be equivalent to taking 48,616 cars off the road for a year.
With Sydney icons like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House turning their lights off, and unique events such as weddings by candlelight, the world took notice. Inspired by the collective effort of millions of Sydneysiders, many major global cities are joining Earth Hour in 2008, turning a symbolic event into a global movement.”

The benefit?
“Last year we measured how much energy saved during Earth Hour in Sydney and achieved a reduction of 10.2% (more than doubled our target of 5%). But the main aim of the campaign is to continue to be energy efficient beyond Earth Hour, making small actions everyday to achieve our goal in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions in 2008.”
Source: http://www.earthhour.org

What can we do?
Turn off our lights on Saturday, March 29th between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m! Let’s work together to raise awareness about the need to reduce greenhouse gases and consider changes that we can make that will result in reduced energy conservation throughout the year!

Skunk Cabbage with a side of Sandhill Cranes

2008-03-17T16:42:00.004-05:00

Last Friday as I headed out for a walk, I was giddily hopeful that I would see skunk cabbage in FGB*. One of our earliest springtime flowering plants, I was confident that I would be able to spot it peeping out of the ground near Lake Marmo at the Arboretum. Alas, skunk cabbage, otherwise known as Symplocarpus foetidus was not to be found on Friday morning, but during my walk I was rewarded by flocks of Sandhill cranes swirling through the skies overhead. I had heard rumblings in the avian world that the cranes were beginning to migrate through the area and was delighted to see/hear them!

Wondering about the meaning of the scientific name of Symplocarpus foetidus, I decided to do a little detective work. According to Stearn’s Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners** (published in 1992), I discovered: Symplocarpus is from the Greek, symploke meaning combination, connection, embrace; and karpos meaning fruit. (According to Stearn: "The ovaries of this swamp-loving perennial herb grow together to make one fruit.") Foetidus does sound a bit more sinister and according to Stearn’s book means the plant is bad-smelling. Some believe the plant’s unusual odor aids in attracting certain pollinators. Another highly unusual and remarkable aspect of this plant is its ability to create its own heat (take that ComEd/Nicor!) and melt its way through frozen ground. As the weather moderates, more unusual plants and creatures will begin to make their grand appearances at the Arboretum. Before you head out for a walk, stop by the Sterling Morton Library to pick up a wildflower or bird identifucation guide today!

* = full glorious bloom
** = The Sterling Morton Library has a number of fascinating resources on the meaning of plant names.

(The First Flowers of Spring by May T. Watts from the Arboretum's Bulletin of Popular Information, v. 20, no. 2, February 1945.)

Project BudBurst

2008-02-29T08:25:00.004-06:00

During our gatherings of Leafing Through the Pages, the book discussion group of the Sterling Morton Library, we often discover and discuss various “citizen science” projects and activities. (“Citizen science is a term used for a project or ongoing program of scientific work in which a network of volunteers, many of whom may have no specific scientific training, perform or manage research-related tasks such as observation, measurement or computation.”) These volunteer groups observe, measure and count everything from monarch larva to dollar bills to earthquakes to roadkill! The scientific community benefits because research objectives are accomplished more feasibly than would otherwise be possible. Plus, an interested and engaged community is nurtured and developed. Descriptions of and opportunities to participate in some interesting current projects can be found at:

I recently read about a new project, Project BudBurst, started in 2007. A national partnership, this project will be monitoring primarily native tree, shrub and flower species. For selected plants, participants are encouraged to record phenological details such as:

Budburst/First Leaf
Full Leaf
First Flower
Full Flower
End Flower
Seed or Fruit Dispersal

The project benefit? Volunteers will help gather and compile valuable environmental and climate change information around the United States. The benefit to you? What a terrific opportunity to visit natural areas, make and record your observations and contribute to the understanding of our native flora!

Pruning resources in the Sterling Morton Library

2008-02-27T15:50:00.000-06:00

This time of the year, a Midwestern gardener might feel caught between two worlds. The sublime and the very snowy, real world! Nursery catalogs and gardening publications present a bounty of images featuring new plants along with lots of tantalizing designs for the garden. Looking out the window at our recent snowfall, a gardener might feel that spring will never arrive!
A few days ago when we had some slightly milder temperatures, I was able to head outside and spend a few hours pruning in the garden. Late winter is a great time to prune certain plants. Without foliage, tree and shrub structure is easier to view. Reduction of disease transmission and more time for callusing over the pruned site are two reasons to consider late winter/early spring pruning. Plus, when spring finally arrives with all of its distractions, much of the pruning can already be finished. It is always a good idea to check when it is appropriate to prune the plant in question. Depending on when a plant flowers, it might be more appropriate to prune at a different time of the year.

As you prepare to sharpen your shears and file your Felcos, these are some resources in the Sterling Morton Library that will educate and inspire:

American Horticultural Society pruning and training, 1996.
Brown, George Ernest. The pruning of trees, shrubs, and conifers, c2004.
Cutler, Karan Davis. Pruning trees, shrubs & vines, c2003.
Gilman, Edward F. An illustrated guide to pruning, c2002.
Hedge rejuvenation in Garden, December 2007, v. 132, #12, p. 831.
Hill, Lewis. Pruning made easy, 1998.
Hoyland, John. Time to chop and change in Gardens Illustrated, September 2007, #128, p. 72-75.
Kujawski, Ron. Notes on pruning needled evergreens in National Gardener, Fall 2007, v. 78, #4, p. 43.
Squire, David. Pruning basics, c2001.
Three ways to prune in Fine Gardening, March/April 2008, #120, p. 52-53.

Leaflets from the Arboretum’s Plant Clinic
Pruning trees
Pruning deciduous shrubs
Pruning evergreens

Be sure to check out some of the Horticulture classes offered through the Arboretum’s Education Program.

45 is the new 20!

2008-02-19T11:38:00.010-06:00

This week while preparing for a tour of the Sterling Morton Library, I realized the Library will be marking its 45th anniversary in 2008! The Reading Room of the Library, designed by noted architect Harry Weese opened in October of 1963.

Additional information about Weese including details of some of his significant commissions can be found at:

In 1973, a 10 year anniversary article by Ian MacPhail in the Morton Arboretum Quarterly nicely detailed and illustrated the early history of this amazing resource and collection. In addition to the architectural features of the Library, Ian also described the Library’s genesis and early history. Please contact me if you are interested in viewing a copy of this article.

Visit the Library and revel in Weese’s remarkable design with curved bookcases, glass shelves, fireplace, large windows, clerestory and a ceiling that appears to float. During this year, the staff of the Sterling Morton Library will be developing several different opportunities and occasions to celebrate this significant anniversary!

Articles of note in the Sterling Morton Library : February's offerings

2008-02-18T16:29:00.003-06:00

These are some recent articles that can be found within the journal collection of the Sterling Morton Library. Visit the Library to discover the incredible botanical and horticultural resources that await you! If you are unable to visit the Library and interested in reviewing one of these articles, I would be delighted to help you at rhassert@mortonarb.org.

Belyaeva, I. Typification of the names published by Edmond Boissier in Salix L. Candollea, v.62, no.2, p.131-140.

Bronaugh, Whit. Looking for Georgia’s lost Franklinia. American Forests, v.113, no.4, p. 30-33.

Clevely, A. The changing climate in your garden. The Garden, v.133, no.1, p.24-29.

Draper, E. Sensible or senseless pruning? American Nurseryman, v.207, no.4, p. 36-43.

Leicht-Young, S.A., N.B. Pavlovic, R. Grundel, and K.J. Frohnapple. Distinguishing native (Celastrus scandens L.) and invasive (C. orbiculatus Thunb.) bittersweet species using morphological characteristics. The Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society, v.134, no. 4, p. 441-450.

McClain, W.E. and J.E. Ebinger. Fire maintained, closed canopy barren communities in western Illinois. Transactions of the Illinois State Academy of Science, v.100, no.3-4, p. 209-221.

Packer, Jan. Beyond learning : exploring visitors’ perceptions of the value and benefits of museum experiences. Curator, v. 51, no.1, p. 33-54.

Wearing the Snow

2008-02-07T14:56:00.000-06:00

We’ve had lots and lots of snow this winter at the Arboretum. As I walked through the Conifer Collection today, I was delighted to see all of the amazing pines, spruces and firs frosted by our most recent snowstorm. This walk reminded me of an article written by May Theilgaard Watts describing and illustrating the way various plants wear the snow. Written in January of 1945, Watts in her inimitable style and with her keen observation skills shares how different plants hold the snow.

They Wear the Snow with a Difference

“Weather is the Master of Ceremonies under whose showmanship plants take their turns in the spotlight. Each changing mood points out a specialist. The best performer in the dew is probably a lupine leaf; in hoar frost, it is ironwood; and in sleet, the beaded curtain of weeping willow twigs. In the wind the best performer is the white pine; but in a breeze it is the trembling aspen, or silver poplar; while in the thirsty wind of summer drought it is cottonwood, making the sound of rain on the roof. The place on which prevailing westerlies write their permanent record most plainly is a row of willows. A slow spring train makes the best blue-gray setting for the pale yellow of hazel catkins, but a fall rain achieves its triumph when it blackens the trunks of red oak in contrast with the brilliance of fall foliage.
But these are passing moods of weather compared to snow. In this winter of much snow we realize that it is well to be surrounded by those good companions that meet the winter with charm, as well as those that offer spring, summer, or fall display.”

-- by May T. Watts
Bulletin of Popular Information, v. 20, no. 1
January 1945

63 years later, the words and drawings of May T. Watts still resonate with us! Before you head out for your next snowy adventure at the Arboretum, be sure to savor Watts' complete text and illustrations at: http://www.scribd.com/doc/2056062/They-Wear-the-Snow-with-a-Difference. To view other issues of the Bulletin of Popular Information, stop by the Sterling Morton Library and peruse our collection!

Articles of note in the Sterling Morton Library : January's Offerings

2008-01-18T12:27:00.000-06:00

These are some recent articles that can be found within the journal collection of the Sterling Morton Library. Please visit the Library to discover the incredible botanical and horticultural resources that await you! If you are unable to visit the Library and interested in reviewing one of these articles, I would be delighted to assist you at rhassert@mortonarb.org.

Baggett, Pam. Wonderful walkways. The American Gardener, v. 87, no. 1, p. 37-41.

Hawkes, C.V. Are invaders moving targets? The generality and persistence of advantages in size, reproduction, and enemy release in invasive plant species with time since introduction. The American Naturalist, v. 170, no. 6, p. 832-843.

Janse-ten Klooster, S.H., E.J.P. Thomas and F.J. Sterck. Explaining interspecific differences in sapling growth and shade tolerance in temperate forests. Journal of Ecology, v. 95, p. 1250-1260.

Jones, B. and S. Foltz. A virtual arboretum. American Nurseryman, v. 207, issue 2, p. 40-46.
“A partnership has resulted in the creation of an online database that catalogs unique ornamental specimens planted in public and private landscapes in the Cincinnati and Louisville, KY, areas, as well as promotes plant diversity and public education.”

Pennacchio, M., L.V. Jefferson and K. Havens. Where there’s smoke, there’s germination. The Illinois Steward, v. 16, no. 3, p. 24-28.
Tells of recent discoveries about the role of smoke in the seed germination of some of our tallgrass-prairie species.

The Roger Tory Peterson Era : in the beginning … Compass, v. 22, issue 1, p. 1-2.
The year 2008 is the 100th year celebration of the birth of RTP. Read all about his life and legacy!

Winter Beauty

2008-01-12T11:04:00.000-06:00

“At no other time of the year are tree forms more conspicuous. Against the whiteness of snow and the intensity of a blue winter sky, the bold patterns of sturdy trunk and intricate branch stand out most vividly, revealing characters of wide diversity. The graceful vase shaped American Elm, the rugged sturdiness of the Oaks, the flat-topped Thorns, the pyramidal spires of Poplars, and the Sugar Maple’s symmetrically rounded domes are but a few of the most familiar forms.”

I’m just in from a walk through the Arboretum’s east side and read this evocative description of winter on the grounds. Are you wondering if you missed this article in a recent issue of Seasons? Actually, this paragraph is part of a larger article written by E. Lowell Kammerer. The reference to the “graceful vase shaped American Elm” could be your first hint of this article's age. The article was actually published in February 1936 in the Bulletin of Popular Information (an early Arboretum publication) and prior to the dramatic loss of American elms in our community. The Sterling Morton Library has a complete set of all publications of The Morton Arboretum including:

Bulletin of Popular Information
The Morton Arboretum Quarterly
Branches
Events, News and Classes
Seasons
Annual Reports
Other assorted publications

A trusty Library volunteer has been diligently indexing our publications to assist us in locating pertinent articles. I encourage you to stop by the Sterling Morton Library and explore our early Arboretum history and writings. Then, take a walk among the trees and revel in the winter beauty!

Lowell’s complete article published in 1936 can be found here.

The Worst Journey in the World by Apsley Cherry-Garrard

2008-01-09T16:53:00.000-06:00

The weather in northern Illinois seems positively tropical particularly since I’ve been reading The Worst Journey in the World by Apsley Cherry-Garrard. Tomorrow morning, the book discussion group of the Sterling Morton Library will meet to discuss Cherry-Garrard’s riveting Antarctic narrative. While the Sterling Morton Library’s polar studies collection is minuscule, there are a number of on-line resources that will provide more information on this dramatic area and adventure. Cherry’s narrative chronicles his trip to gather penguin eggs (the worst journey in the world) along with the heartbreaking account of Scott’s race to the South Pole. A great adventure book, this account presents a dramatic setting, complex scientific details along with a very poignant story of the challenges faced by these explorers.

Places to search for more information:
The Royal Geographical Society’s Image Library has over 800 images from the British Antarctic Expedition 1910-1913
http://images.rgs.org
(Search under the heading: British Antarctic Expedition 1910-1913)

Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge – http://www.spri.cam.ac.uk
Their image library has a number of images from the expedition at British Antarctic Expedition, 1910-1913 (Terra Nova) at http://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/library/pictures/expeditions/terranova/

Science battles for Scott's reputation – BBC News - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/1535989.stm

Different Approaches to Antarctic Exploration by Sian Flynn http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/britain_wwone/south_approaches_01.shtml

Lots of information about this Expedition can be found from our good friends at Wikipedia:
Terra Nova Expedition - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terra_Nova_Expedition
Details about some of the explorers:
Robert Falcon Scott - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Adrian_Wilson
Edward Adrian Wilson - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Adrian_Wilson

A digital copy of this books is available at Project Gutenberg at http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/14363

Coming soon...

2008-01-08T10:06:00.000-06:00

Our own Michael Stieber will be giving a lecture through The Morton Arboretum education program this month. Here is a description from the education brochure:

Order from Chaos - The Legacy of Carl Linnaeus
January 22, 2008 7-9 PM
Michael Stieber, Library Administrator and Reference Librarian, The Morton Arboretum

It is difficult to imagine a world in which the names of plants were muddled, messy, and confused. Just imagine the medical consequences of non-standard plant names. Carl Linnaeus (1707 - 1778) established the binomial system of genus and species, and with that changed our way of seeing the world. Michael will outline the original naming system Linnaeus proposed, based upon the number of stamens and pistils, and outline the lasting contribution to science made by this great botanist. Join us for wine and cheese after the presentation as we tour the new Linnaeus exhibit in the Sterling Morton Library.

You can register for this event here.

Leafing Through the Pages - 2008

2007-12-13T15:32:00.000-06:00

Leafing Through the Pages, the book discussion group of the Sterling Morton Library

Meeting the second Thursday of each month from 10-12 in the
Sterling Morton Library of The Morton Arboretum

January 10, 2008 - Cherry-Garrard, Apsley. The worst journey in the world, 2002 (originally published 1922).
February 14 2008 - Peterson, Roger Tory and James Fisher. Wild America : the record of a 30,000 mile journey around the continent by a distinguished naturalist and his British colleague, 1955.
March 13, 2008 - Kingsolver, Barbara. Animal, vegetable, miracle : a year of food life, 2007.
April 10, 2008 - Egan, Timothy. The worst hard time : the untold story of those who survived the great American dust bowl, 2006.
May 8, 2008 - Bjornerud, Marcia. Reading the rocks : the autobiography of the earth, 2005.
June 12, 2008 - Littlepage, Dean. Steller's Island : adventures of a pioneer naturalist in Alaska, 2006.
July 10, 2008 - Todd, Kim. Chrysalis : Maria Sibylla Merian and the secrets of metamorphosis, 2007.
August 14, 2008 - Stutchbury, Bridget Joan. Silence of the songbirds, 2007.
September 11, 2008 - Ray, Janisse. Ecology of a Cracker childhood, 1999.
October 9, 2008 - Pollan, Michael. The omnivore's dilemma : a natural history of four meals, 2006.
November 13, 2008 - Weidensaul, Scott. Return to wild America : a yearlong search for the continent's natural soul, 2005.
December 11, 2008 - Greenberg, Joel. Of prairie, woods, & water : two centuries of Chicago nature writing, 2008. (To be published in March/April 2008)

Join us for a spirited discussion!

Articles of note in the Sterling Morton Library : November's Offerings

2007-11-19T10:31:00.000-06:00

These are some recent articles that can be found within the journal collection of the Sterling Morton Library. Please visit the Library to discover the incredible botanical and horticultural resources that await you! If you are unable to visit the Library and interested in reviewing one of these articles, I would be delighted to assist you at rhassert@mortonarb.org.

Enright, S.M. and D. Cipollini. Infection by powdery mildew Erysiphe cruciferarum (Erysiphaceae) strongly affects growth and fitness of Alliaria petiolata (Brassicaceae). American Journal of Botany. v. 94, no. 11, p. 1813-1820.

Three cheers for anything that affects the growth and fitness of the nefarious garlic mustard!

Gilliam. F.S. The ecological significance of the herbaceous layer in temperate forest ecosystems. BioScience, v. 57, no. 10, p.845-858.
Also available: http://webpages.marshall.edu/~gilliam/bioscience.pdf

Guisan, A., N. E. Zimmermann, J. Elith, C. H. Graham, S. Phillips, and A. T. Peterson. What matters for predicting the occurrencs of trees: techniques, data or species’ characteristics? Ecological Monographs, v. 77, no. 4, p. 615-630.

Oberndorfer, E., J. Lundholm, B. Bass, R. R. Coffman, H. Doshi, N. Dunnett, S. Gaffin, M. Köhler, K. K. Y. Liu, and B. Rowe. Green roofs as urban ecosystems: ecological structures, functions, and services. BioScience, v. 57, no. 10, p. 823-833.
Also available: http://www.aibs.org/bioscience-press-releases/resources/11-07.pdf

Patrut, A., K.F. Von Reden, D.A. Lowy, A.H. Alberts, J.W. Pohlman, R. Wittmann, D. Gerlach, L.Xu, C.S. Mitchell. Radiocarbon dating of a very large African baobab. Tree Physiology, v. 27, p. 1569–1574.

A fascinating account of the efforts to determine the age of the largest known African baobab, Grootboom. Growing in northeastern Namibia, this tree collapsed unexpectedly in 2004. Radiocarbon dating helped determine the tree’s age and also provided information on climate changes in central southern Africa.

Fall color at The Morton Arboretum

2007-10-26T15:26:00.000-05:00

I was just perusing the report of the Arboretum’s Color Scout. (Link to the current fall color report by the Arboretum's very own Ed, the Color Scout.) Along with a description and identification of some of the sensational fall colors to be found here at the Arboretum, he also provides a brief explanation of the mechanics of these brilliant colors. Be sure to review his explanation.

In the Sterling Morton Library, there are a number of resources about the garden in autumn. Whether you’re looking for some information on plants to select for superb fall color or wanting to read a little more in-depth about the fascinating process underway, the Library has a host of resources! Ready to go for a walk, crunch some leaves and immerse yourself in the red, yellow, orange, gold, maroon and, yes, green of this autumn? Before you head out for point beyond, stop by the Sterling Morton Library to look at:

Fall color and woodland harvests : a guide to the more colorful fall leaves and fruits of the eastern forests by C. Ritchie Bell, Anne H. Lindsey.
Autumn leaves : a guide to the fall colors of the northwoods by Ronald M. Lanner.
The garden in autumn by Allen Lacy.
Sketching outdoors in autumn by Jim Arnosky.
When autumn comes by Robert Maass.
The bear's autumn by Keizaburo Tejima.
Another kind of autumn by Loren Eiseley.
Autumn across America : a naturalist's record of a 20,000-mile journey through the North American autumn by Edwin Way Teale.
A garden book for autumn and winter by Charles Downing Lay.
My garden in autumn and winter by E.A. Bowles.
Exploring nature around the year : fall by David Webster.
Berried treasure : shrubs for autumn and winter colour in your garden by F. Kingdon-Ward.

Chicago Humanities Festival

2007-10-22T14:16:00.000-05:00

At the last gathering of Leafing Through the Pages, the Sterling Morton Library’s book discussion group, the upcoming 18th Annual Chicago Humanities Festival (October 27-November 11, 2007) was mentioned. After our discussion break, I printed/passed around a schedule of the Festival’s activities. If you haven’t had an opportunity to review the upcoming event, complete details can be found at: http://www.chfestival.org/ This year’s theme of The Climate of Concern is presented through “16 unforgettable days of talks, panels, readings, performances, exhibits, screenings, and conversations about the clear and urgent challenge we face: how do we, as a community of fellow humans, come to envision – with lucidity, vigor, and hope – our responsibilities toward each other, our progeny, and the planet?” On perusing the schedule, I discovered that some of the authors we have read/might be planning to read in the book discussion group will be participating at the festival. Imagine -- authors like Elizabeth Kolbert, Curt Meine, Bill McKibben, Terry Tempest Williams, Diane Ackerman, May Berenbaum and David Orr will all be participating. Festival events and activities will be presented in a number of different venues throughout the city. What a terrific opportunity to immerse yourself in this challenging global dialogue.

While flipping by the stations on Sunday morning, I came across a local public service program that featured the Festival. One of the guests described the hyperbolic crochet coral reef ("a woolly celebration of the intersection of higher geometry and feminine handicraft, and a testimony to the disappearing wonders of the marine world") on exhibit at the Chicago Cultural Center. As an earnest student of science, community and yarn, I found this to be a fascinating idea and project! From challenging speakers to concerts to a community of crocheters, find a way to involve yourself in this remarkable festival of events!