University of Guelph Arboretum

The University of Guelph Arboretum is a botanical research facility spanning about 165 hectares with 40 distinct collections of woody plants, specialized gardens, walking trails, natural woodlands, and wetland areas. The grounds combine research zones with publicly accessible garden areas and nature paths for visitors to explore.

The Arboretum was founded in 1970, developing from agricultural test plots of the Ontario Agricultural College that had previously been used for farming research. This transformation created a center dedicated to plant conservation and botanical study.

The site stands on traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit and displays gardens designed in English, Italian, and Japanese styles. These distinct garden traditions create spaces with different character to discover as you walk through.

Visitors can pick up detailed maps and guides at the entrance to navigate the different collections and themed areas. The best visiting times are spring and summer when flowers and plants are most active, though autumn colors also make the site worthwhile.

The site maintains a living gene bank of rare Ontario trees and manages the Elm Recovery Project, which develops disease-resistant American Elm varieties. These efforts make it a significant location for protecting endangered tree species.