The Mighty Bur Oak: From Hybrid Genomes to Insects, Fungi, and the Tangled Web of Life

Presented by: Andrew Hipp is the Director of the Herbarium and Senior Scientist in Plant Systematics at The Morton Arboretum and a Lecturer at University of Chicago

The bur oak is a foundation of eastern North American forests and savannas. It is massive, long-lived, strong, and enormously variable. But the bur oak is no lone wolf: it exchanges genes with other oak species from the Black Hills to Vermont, and from northern Minnesota down to Texas. This talk will introduce current research on how genes move between bur oak and its relatives and shape their evolution, and how oak genomes shape the natural history of our region.

Luncheon Lectures are held in the Arboretum Visitor Center Auditorium. A buffet lunch catered by Blue Plate, is followed by an educational presentation.  Each event costs $48. Series for the entire season, 9 events, costs $432.

This popular series fills up quickly, so register soon. Registration closes September 7, 2025.

Prefer to download a pdf to mail a check? Click here.

If registering by mail, please be sure the registration form and payment arrive by September 7, 2025.

If you are purchasing more than one ticket, please provide the names of all attendees, if known.  A registration confirmation will be sent to you by email.  If a program you request is full, you will be contacted promptly. Reservations are transferable.  If you transfer your reservation, please send an email to npscoordinator@foamadison.org or call us at 608-890-2555 and let us know the name of the attendee. You may cancel a reservation and request a refund at least 2 weeks ahead of the event.  If you are unable to attend, please let us know, as there may be others on a waiting list.