A tour of the Frances Shimer Arboretum in Mount Carroll will be held on Saturday, May 9th, at 1 pm. The 14-acre arboretum has over 200 trees, some more than 100 years old, with 60 species and varieties represented. It is located on the former Shimer College campus, now known as the Campbell Center for Historic Preservation. A highlight of the arboretum is three surviving old-growth American chestnut trees. One of these trees is listed on the “Illinois Big Tree Register” as the largest recorded in Illinois. It is over 70 feet tall. While American chestnuts were extremely plentiful in the eastern US, an introduced blight has driven the species to near extinction. These survivors are very rare. The Arboretum Advisory Committee members will be present to lead groups, describe the history of the college and the arboretum, and explain the importance of individual tree species, their identifying characteristics, and their unique traits. Anyone interested in an informal outdoor course on identification of trees native to Illinois, held on an beautiful historic site should attend. There is no charge for this event; it is open to the public. We ask that you register so that we may contact you in case weather or other circumstances cause a schedule change. The Campbell Center is located at 203 East Seminary, Mount Carroll, north of Route 52/64 off Illinois 78. Park in the north parking lot accessible from Seminary Street. Go to THIS PAGE for a map of Mount Carroll showing the Shimer Arboretum site. Further instructions will be provided with your registration. This tour is being organized by the Northwest Illinois Forestry Association and the Shimer Arboretum Advisory Board.
