Morton Arboretum notes

The Morton Arboretum offers events for children and the family at 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Arboretum activities are free with admission unless otherwise noted. Admission is $9 for adults ages 18 to 64; $8 for seniors 65 and older; $6 for children ages 3 to 17; children 2 and under are free. On Wednesdays, admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 for children; children 2 and under are free. Members are always free.

For details, visit www.mortonarb.org or call (630) 968-0074 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. Registration can be completed online.

Nature walk: Explore trees in the Northern Illinois Collection in "Meet the Natives Guided Nature Walk" from 1 to 2 p.m. weekends in June. Meet in Arbor Court.

Bug gear: Bug detectives can get nets, jars, bug houses, magnifying glasses and more at "The Bug Store" from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends in Arbor Court.

Friendly insects: Learn how ladybugs, praying mantis and other insects help in controlling unwanted pests in "Gardening with Beneficial Insects" in a class June 4. The cost is $30, with member discounts available. Register by calling (630) 719-2468.

How birds choose mates: Learn how a peacock's tail and the bright shoulder patches on red-winged blackbirds determine how many offspring a bird produces in "Sexual Selection in Birds," a two-day course June 4 and 11. Registration now open. The cost is $69, with member discounts available. Register by calling (630) 719-2468.

Up a tree: Professional arborists perform their version of X-Tree-m sport in professional tree-climbing championships that include five different events from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 7. The winner represents Illinois in the International Tree Climbing Championship.

Theater-hike: Hike from scene to scene when "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm," a classic play based on the 1903 Kate Douglas Wiggin's children's novel, is performed 1 to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays and 3 to 5:30 p.m. Sundays in June and July. Low impact hikes - suitable for strollers, walkers and wheelchairs - are held June 15 and July 6. Dinner hikes are held from 4 to 8 p.m. June 22 and July 20. Regular hikes cost $19 or $13 for arboretum members with advance purchase, $22 the day of the show. Group rates available. Dinner theater-hikes are $47 or $40 for arboretum members for adults, $37 and $30 respectively for children. For details, visit www.mortonarb.org or call (630) 725-2066.

Build-a-bug: Kids craft their own bugs while learning the parts of an insect and decorate a bug mask to wear in a garden parade from 1 to 4 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends through June 6, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, June 7 through July 20 in the Children's Garden.

Growing trees: Learn how and where the arboretum grows its trees for research and display during "Growing Trees at the Arboretum" June 7. The cost is $50, with member discounts available. Register by calling (630) 719-2468.

Ladybug festival: Kids make masks, play games, decorate a home for a ladybug and join in a ladybug release from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 7-8 in the Children's Garden.

Linden trees: Learn which kinds of lindens grow in the Chicago area in "The Lure and Bee Lore of Lindens" in a class that meets June 11 and 14. Participants will take linden flower tea and enjoy linden honey gathered from arboretum trees. The cost is $45, with member discounts available. To register, call (630) 719-2468.

Emmylou Harris: Legendary singer Emmylou Harris performs a concert, "In Tune With Trees," at 6 p.m. June 14, with the concert lawn opening at 4:30 p.m. Harris performs material from her new album, "All I Intended to Be." Tickets are $42 in advance, $35 for arboretum members, or $50 on concert day. For details, contact www.mortonarb.org or (630) 725-2066.

Summer solstice: Enjoy the longest day of the year with a "Summer Solstice Guided Nature Walk" from 7 to 8 p.m. June 20.

Enchanted evening: The arboretum's annual dinner party in a garden setting offers "One Enchanted Evening" starting at 6:30 p.m. June 21. Cocktails and hours d'oeuvres will be held in the hedge garden and be followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. in a tent in the elegant English garden. Chocolates, cordials and other drinks will be served after dinner. Tickets are $300 per person, and sponsorships are available. For reservations, contact (630) 719-7976 or kbender@mortonarb.org.

Theatre-bike: The arboretum holds its first theater-bike with actors and audience members pedalling from scene to scene of "Key Exchange" from 5 to 8 p.m. June 21 and 28, July 19 and 26, Aug. 23 and 30, and Sept. 13 and 20. A long-running, off-Broadway success, the play explores the romantic pitfalls of New York's swinging singles and contains mature themes. The evening includes a light supper following the performance. Tickets are $47, or $40 for arboretum members. For reservations, contact www.mortonarb.org or (630) 725-2066.

Tree identification: Registration is open for "Tree Identification and Ecology" June 29, July 6, 13, 20 and 27 at the Thornhill Education Center. Participants will examine 70 to 80 trees, learn skills to identify them, and discuss their biology and ecology. The cost is $209, with member discounts available. Register by calling (630) 719-2468.

Good, bad and bug-ly: Kids learn about heroes and villains of the bug world and how they interact with trees and other plants from 1 to 4 p.m. July 5-6 in the Visitor Center.

Bugs in the library: Registration is open for a class that explores the value and beauty of insects through treasures in the Sterling Morton Library July 9 and 16. The cost is $24 with member discounts available. Register by calling (630) 719-2468.

Japanese flower arranging: Registration is now open for "Capture the Season: Introduction to Ikebana," a class on Japanese flower arranging, that will be held July 25. The cost is $30, with member discounts available. To register, call (630) 719-2468.

Insect world exhibit: For a bug collector's dream see the "Flights of Fancy: Human Fascination with the Insect World" exhibit through Aug. 15 in the Sterling Morton Library. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The exhibit includes mounted insects and arachnid specimens, and original artwork.

Tram rides: Hop aboard the Acorn Express to see formal gardens, woodlands, wetlands and prairie in this 50-minute, open-air tram tour offered daily through October weather permitting. Tickets are $6 for adults, $5 for ages 3 to 17, with member discounts available. Call on times. For details, (630) 968-0074.

Volunteers wanted: Adults 21 and older are wanted to show youngsters features of the arboretum's Children's Garden. Volunteers are needed on both weekdays and weekends. They receive discounts to the arboretum's store and invitations to special events. Volunteers are required to pass a background check. For details, contact volunteer coordinator Sally Kenaston at (630) 719-2443 or skenaston@mortonarb.org.