New Morton Arboretum exhibit showcases tree species through imaginative play

Trees play a crucial role in nature and in our daily lives, and each tree species has a unique story to tell.

The new exhibit Tree House Tales at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle aims to teach kids just that.

The exhibit, which opened June 15, features a village of six interactive tree houses, each designed with a different theme and highlighting a different tree species. The exhibit was designed and fabricated by Taylor Studios Inc. in Rantoul.

In the summer of 2013, more tree houses will be added to the exhibit, forming a second village.

“It’s part of a two-year initiative to get people to see trees in a new way,” said Anamari Dorgan, head of visitor experience at Morton Arboretum. “This is an opportunity to explore independently and make memories.”

The Tree House Tales exhibit is aimed at children ages 2 through 10 years old and is free with general admission. Those interested can call visitor’s services at (630) 968-0074 or visit mortonarb.org for information.

But while “tree house” usually implies that the structure is built into a tree, that’s not true in this case. The tree houses are built on the ground to maintain the health and vitality of the trees and for the safety of visitors.

The species highlighted are the white oak, empress tree, flowering dogwood, bur oak, eastern white pine and silver maple.

There was a list of several dozen tree species to choose from, Dorgan said. The final decision came down to locating a space where multiple tree species could be found within walking distance but also included trees with dynamic stories.

“It was very difficult because every tree really does have a story to tell,” Dorgan said.

The chosen species have a long history at the Morton Arboretum and have playful or surprising features.

For example, during the Revolutionary War, the British demanded white pine trunks for ship masts after they had exhausted their tree stock, causing a mini rebellion.

“It plays an important role in American history,” Dorgan said.

These historical facts are woven into the themes of the tree houses. Because of its history, a representation of an early American ship is built around a white pine tree, which serves as the mast.

While the white pine is incorporated into the design of the tree house, the other tree houses are located near the species they represent.

Another tree house represents the “no trespassing” clubhouses of Dennis the Menace and The Little Rascals and uses the bur oak tree, often found alone in prairies.

“The hideaway is representing the bur oak because it often isolates itself from other trees,” Dorgan said.

Other themes included in the designs are a castle, a doghouse, a settler’s cabin and the Silver Maple Factory tree house, which will help children understand the life cycle and interior workings of a tree.

“There’s a hidden activity going on under the layers that we don’t think about,” Dorgan said.

The Tree House Tales exhibit differs from the 2004 “InTREEguing TreeHouses” exhibit in both concept and design. The 2004 exhibit was built around a design competition and featured structures that reflected the different styles and approaches of the artists. Tree House Tales uses design concepts developed by Morton Arboretum.

Morton Arboretum hosts a special exhibit every year.

“We look for creative ways to highlight our living collections,” Dorgan said.

A variety of programs will be offered throughout the summer in conjunction with the new exhibit, including Tree House Tales-themed family fun nights; weeklong, half-day summer camps organized around the exhibit; tram tours; and a themed barbecue.

The trees have interpretive graphic panels that discuss the history and facts of the trees and encourage visitors to identify the tree species using certain signs.

“What’s unique about it is we’ve created an imaginative play space in a natural setting,” Dorgan said.

Though each tree has a unique story to tell, people don’t often know those stories. Dorgan likened the exhibit experience to visiting that neighbor you don’t know very well.

“This is the opportunity to knock on that neighbor’s door and get to know them.”