Underused plants, like new introductions, keep landscapes fresh, new, and exciting for your clients. Just as importantly, maybe more so, they keep things interesting for you and your team. Learning the plants and the stories behind them is engaging to any bright mind. While it may vary from proje...

Have you ever wondered why certain species are selected for research and adaptation to become a cultivar? When is it appropriate to select a cultivar for a space instead of a native? With so much emphasis on diversifying the plant palette, where do cultivars fit? Natives are a critical part of th...

We will revisit the basics of selecting and planting trees and shrubs, but will focus on plant selection in the context of climate change. What species should we be selecting? For what time scale are we planning? How do we select plants for an uncertain future?

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS: Please...

There is a great story linked to every tree - at least, there should be! Learn from a tree guy with over 40 years of experience of observing and working with cool trees some really interesting incites to regionally important trees. Some of these wonderful specimens are still with us, while others...

The green industry plays an essential role in shaping our urban forest canopy. As you look around the urban and suburban landscape, you cannot help but notice mature trees are struggling. Newly installed trees have high failure rates and will not replace these forest elders. From cultural practic...

Trees in the forests live with their family and friends. Above the ground, young trees are protected by mature trees against extreme weather conditions such as scotching sunlight, damaging wind, and extreme cold. Equally and maybe more important than the above ground partners, the underground par...

Kris Bachtell, The Morton Arboretum. The world’s climate is changing rapidly and new pests and diseases continue to be recognized as a threat. Strong tree Diversity and the Inclusion of new tree selections is our best protection to help avoid catastrophic losses and to build healthier tree domina...

As we hit the 20th anniversary of the emerald ash borer (EAB) discovery in North America, what have we learned? What do the next 20 years hold for ash trees? Join us for an interdisciplinary journey using lessons learned with EAB management. See how science has led to effective treatments based o...

We will revisit the basics of selecting and planting trees and shrubs, but will focus on plant selection in the context of climate change. What species should we be selecting? For what time scale are we planning? How do we select plants for an uncertain future?

Certified Arborists: Please cli...

This presentation will cover key aspects that impact labor in your landscape maintenance business. In this fast-paced world of constant demand for production and less labor to perform that work it is critical to use product technologies to your advantage over competitors in the green industry, wh...

The Morton Arboretum is focused on improving the health and longevity of urban trees. Healthy, undisturbed soil is a key component to achieve future tree canopy goals. Unfortunately, soils with ideal characteristics at supporting long-lived trees are becoming increasingly rare in the built enviro...

Trees are valuable assets designed to survive for decades to centuries, depending on species. However, not everything goes according to plan to due to human error. This session will look at preventable tree issues observed by a Consulting Arborist and how to mitigate them, beginning in the nurser...

With a vast world of plants to choose from, how does one narrow the field to make choices that will lead to successful outcomes? This session will examine one potential approach to plant selection — considering related plants within select plant families as a key to organizing choices for develop...

Gert Forgens at iLandscape
In a small country such as The Netherlands (half the size of Illinois with 18,000,000 residents), changes in land use as well as changes in climate create opportunities for other ways of planning a green environment. For example, how to deal with an increase of urbaniza...

Jack de Vroomen and Gert Fortgens at iLandscape 2025
‘Keukenhof Gardens’, also called “The # 1 Showplace for the horticultural industry in the world’, is planted with 7,000,000 flower bulbs annually and attracts 1,500,000 visitors in 7 weeks’ time. The ‘Trompenburg Gardens & Arboretum’ historical...

Heather Prince at iLandscape 2025
Here in the Midwest, winter can feel almost never ending. Creating four-season landscapes is never easy, but perhaps it is most challenging in winter when the color palette shrinks, and the emphasis shifts to form over flower. This is an opportunity to consider p...

This panel will tackle tricky topics related to native plants, including: Have we oversold natives in a way that has tarnished them? How a “Backlash” on native plants affects members of the landscape industry. How to define “right plant, right place.” This phrase has meaning at different scales a...

Even in the South, winter can seem like an eternity. Plants with winter interest can make gray days more bearable by adding a spark of color and life to an otherwise dormant landscape. There are so many underutilized plants on the market today that not only flower, but have interesting bark, grea...

Have you ever gotten into a discussion about the “goodness” or “badness” of a non-native plant? How about a lecture on why native only landscapes are the only correct direction for horticulture to go? David will take you on a discussion of non-native plants and their positive impact on the world ...

Whether your garden is in a zero lot line neighborhood, or a sprawling country estate, the odds are you have a space where a straight and narrow plant is desirable. Your options are to either choose plants that are correct for the space, or force ones that are not into submission. Living walls ha...

When treating trees and shrubs for insects, mites, or diseases, applicators must be precise in their timing so that control can be established. We commonly use growing degree days to predict vulnerable stages of insects, mites, and diseases but with our climate shifting, growing degree days are n...

Plant breeders are constantly on the lookout for new varieties of woodies. While tried-and-trued trees will always have a place in designs, our panel will take you through new selections, what drives sales, and unusual replacements for overused varieties.

CERTIFIED ARBORISTS: Please click HER...

Safety is the most important aspect of how we care for teammates in our profession. Safety isn't just about following rules and regulations it is about how to recognize and reduce exposures. How leaders treat others has a direct impact on safety within an organization. Building a culture of safet...

Stay informed with the latest developments in forest health across Illinois in this comprehensive update. We’ll take a closer look at ongoing and emerging challenges facing our trees and landscapes, from the aftermath of past pests to the threats on the horizon. First, we’ll reflect on the Period...