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The Washington Park Arboretum

Dedicated May 1, 2004, the arboretum on the northwest edge of the park was in preparation more than a year. The Morton Arboretum assisted the Park District in researching existing trees and resources and Frederick Law Olmsted's original template and in designing and planting and signing this natural library. It is Chicago's first, although but one of many professionally managed forest areas in Chicago parks. (See area-wide facts below.) The trees and map.

You can pick up a fine brochure at the fieldhouse.

Hours. open daily sunrise to sunset.

Please do:

• Keep pets leashed
• Stay on marked paths and lawn areas
• Bicycle on paved areas only

Please don't

• Take samples of plants
• Walk through shrub beds
• Play active sports
• Bring alcoholic beverages
• Build campfires
• Feed the wildlife
  

Chicago's Arboretum in the Park

"Welcome to the Arboretum in Washington Park, a special collection of trees that are among the largest and most unusual found in any of Chicago's parks. We invite you to follow the trail beneath the trees of the Arboretum in Washington Park; get to know them better; and follow the seasons marked so colorfully in their branches.

The Chicago Park District and the Morton Arboretum are continuing a tradition with eh development of "Arboretums in the Park" in select parks. These arboretums create opportunities for people to enjoy and learn about the historic, diverse, and outstanding trees in Chicago's parks.

The first of the "Arboretums in the Park" is in Washington Park. What makes these trees so special? The large Lindens, Hickories, Sycamores, and others have been living witnesses to the dynamic history of Chicago, Washington Park, and surrounding communities. The towering Bur Oaks were likely present in 1871 when renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted designed the park Creating an Arboretum in the Park keeps them protected in a living, outdoor museum for all to enjoy.

Look for a second "Arboretum in the Park" to bloom at Horner Park, located at 2741 W. Montrose Avenue on the city's North side."

"Seasonal Highlights

• Early Spring: March to Early April. Cornelian Cherry blooms first
• Late Spring: Mid April to May. Crabapples, Serviceberry, Horse chestnut and Glossy Hawthorn bloom.
• Summer: June to July. The Lindens, Northern Catalpa and Black Locust are in full bloom. The scent o the Lindens is wonderfully sweet and almost overpowering. The Black Locust features fragrant white flowers.
• Early Fall: September to Mid October. The fall color of Staghorn Sumac, White Ash, Gingko and Red Maple are at their peak.
• Late Fall: Late October to November. All the Oaks are in full color especially the Red Oak and Scarlet Oak.
• Winter: December to February. The bark on the Bur Oaks, Hackberries and the sycamore is very distinctive and some may consider it quite ornamental.

"Programs

"Educational programs for adults, children and families include school tours, summer day camp visits, courses, lectures, guided walks and workshops about horticulture, arboriculture, conservation and ecology. for more information about these programs, please call 312 742-5039.

"Guided Walks and Tours. Trained guides are available to lead groups on a tour of the Arboretum in Washington Park. Tours are free. Please call 312 742-5275 to arrange a time. "

"Did you Know???

• The oldest tree within Chicago's parks [since the demise of that on Wooded Island] is the Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) located in Midway Plaisance Park (1130 Midway Plaisance North) . It is 250+ years old.
• The tallest tree within Chicago's parks is the Cottonwood tree (Poplus deltoides) in Ada Park, 11250 S. Ada Street). It is 60+ feet tall.
• There are over 1 million municipal trees within the City of Chicago.
• The Illinois state tree is the White Oak.
• The average life of an urban tree is 7 years, less than one tenth the life of a forest tree.
• The City of Chicago has been recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters with the honor of "Tree City USA." Chicago has received this distinction for 20+ years.
• You can dedicate a park tree in honor of a special person or event, through the Chicago Park District's Green Deed Tree Dedication program. For more information on this program call 312 742-4764."

The trees, map

Some of the trees are what we would call weed trees, but they were in Olmsted's palette of original plantings and many provide food or favored shelter and materials for birds. Providing the later are a major goal in all park planting.
* No. 43 is either a Sugar, not Silver, Maple or it's wrongly called saccarinum (argentium?)

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