Schulenberg Prairie

While many visitors come to the Morton Arboretum to hike among the trees, the Schulenberg Prairie is an interesting and often-ignored place to stop on the Morton Arboretum's west side.

The Schulenberg Prairie is one of the oldest planted prairies in the Midwest. Also referred to as a "prairie restoration," the Schulenberg Prairie served as a model for other restorations or prairie plantings that followed in the Chicago area and elsewhere.

If you'd like to show your kids what Illinois looked like before settlers came, or you're looking for a change from their Children's Garden, the Schulenberg Prairie is an interesting stop.

When you park in the small lot near the prairie, stop at the visitor's station. The Morton Arboretum has placed interpretive exhibits on the Schulenberg Prarie there. Follow the signs towards the Prairie Trail along a wide mowed or gravel path. According to the Morton Arboretum's web site, you will pass an old field that is in the process of being returned to prairie and a savanna under restoration.

A savannah is an area that receives light shade from trees, typically oaks, which is often on the edges of prairie land. Savannahs provide habitat for plants that are not well-adapted to open prairie or woodlands.

You and the kids will also pass over at least one small stream. If the water is moving rapidly, the kids will enjoy throwing small objects that float, such as leaves or sticks. Don't throw unnatural materials into the water or let your kids litter while they play.

The Prairie Trail is a very narrow path through the tall grasses and perennials (also called forbs) planted in the Schulenberg Prairie. As you walk, the plants will brush along your legs and you will hear and see the grasses moving in the wind. In late summer, the plants can grow to be quite tall, some up to 6 feet. Again, the Morton Arboretum has placed interpretive signs along the trail.

Common plants found in the prairie include prairie dropseed, wild bergamot (monarda), and common mountain mint. On my June visit there I saw wild blue indigo (baptisia) and coneflowers in bloom.

Despite the fact that some plants can grow quite tall, only about one-third of the plants in the Schulenberg Prairie are visible above-ground. The rest of the plants, the roots, burrows deeply into the ground--sometimes 12 feet deep. These roots form a dense and tangled mat. Prairie plants can survive for decades through drought, summer heat, freezing and thawing soils, and fires. Prairie plants soak up excess rainwater, reducing runoff and flooding.

The Schulenberg Prairie is a restored natural area, and biting insects do live there. Thus, I strongly recommend wearing long pants, closed shoes appropriate for hiking, and insect repellent. You may also want to consider wearing long sleeves. The Morton Arboretum recommends checking for ticks every 2-3 hours when hiking on its grounds.