Mast Arboretum, Botanical garden in Nacogdoches County, Texas.
Mast Arboretum is a botanical garden on the Stephen F. Austin State University campus with over 7,500 different plant species spread across about 10 acres. Twenty themed sections display specialized collections including the Ruby Mize Azalea Garden, butterfly habitats, and conifer plantings.
The arboretum was founded in 1985 from a landscape plants class at Stephen F. Austin State University and became the first university arboretum in Texas. This beginning established the foundation for its current role as a major educational center for plant knowledge and ecological understanding.
The site was named after its original landowner and functions today as an open garden where visitors walk between carefully arranged plant sections. The design follows a naturalistic approach that brings together native and international species.
Access is free and available daily, allowing visitors to explore the different garden sections at their own pace. The site is easy to walk through and offers shaded paths as well as open areas for strolling.
The arboretum partners with respected institutions like Arnold Arboretum and the United States National Arboretum, exchanging plants to expand its collection. These partnerships allow it to display rare and specialized species that would otherwise be difficult to find in one place.
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