Morton Arboretum Announces New Large-Scale 'Tree Dimensions' Exhibition

LISLE, IL — The Morton Arboretum recently unveiled designs for its next large-scale exhibition. Set to open in May 2027, Tree Dimensions will feature five colorful tree-inspired sculptures standing up to 20 feet tall that visitors can walk inside, climb on and explore in other ways.

Tree Dimensions was created by Chilean artist Rommy Gonzalez and co-designed with Chilean architects José Francisco Calbacho and Javiera Varas Schumacher. The exhibition is produced by the international art agency, Millicent.

Every tree is made up of remarkable systems working together to support life, yet many of those processes remain invisible to us,” Morton Arboretum Head of Exhibitions Amy Scott said in a statement.

Scott added, “Tree Dimensions invites visitors to engage with those hidden connections in an entirely new way. Whether you’re walking through a sculpture, watching sunlight filter through colorful forms or seeing children explore giant roots, we hope people leave with a deeper appreciation for the complexity and wonder of trees.”

The sculptures depict tree roots, stumps, leaves, and branches, using color and depth to create a multi-faceted experience.

“When we look at a tree, we often see only its surface,” said González. “I've always been fascinated by the hidden worlds within nature, and I wanted to create spaces that reveal the beauty, complexity and connections that make trees so remarkable. By showing different angles of trees, my goal is to help promote a greater understanding of the ways every branch, leaf, trunk and root contributes to sustaining healthy ecosystems.”