The Arboretum

Banner image of close up Witch Hazel flowers

Map featuring the planned updates to the Permaculture Garden in the Gosling Wildlife Gardens

colour photo of a clearwing moth feeding on a purple flower

Welcome to The Arboretum

Arboretum grounds are open daily, from dawn to dusk. Buildings are open from 8:30 – 4:30 weekdays.

The Arboretum encompasses 400 acres adjacent to campus featuring plant collections, gardens, walking trails, natural woodlands, wetlands, and meadows. Established in 1970, The Arboretum is home to more than 1700 different taxa of woody plants, in thematic collections such as a synoptic World of Trees, Native Trees of Ontario, and noteworthy collections of Oaks, Beeches, Maples, and Conifers.

MISSION: The University of Guelph Arboretum conserves biodiversity and connects people to nature through research, teaching and learning, and campus and community engagement.

Our strong focus on conservation of woody plants native to Ontario is implemented through long-running initiatives such as the Rare Woody Plants of Ontario program. We archive, in living gene banks, representative specimens of rare and at-risk trees and shrubs of the province. Through our Elm Recovery Project we are breeding a genetically diverse, Ontario-sourced American Elm population that is tolerant of Dutch Elm Disease.The Arboretum is integral to many undergraduate courses, and acts as a 'living laboratory' by providing support, expertise, and a wide variety of plants, species, and environments for researchers at all levels. We offer dozens of workshops and public programs annually, and serve as a beautiful venue for special events.