An arboretum is a specialized botanical garden where trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants are cultivated for scientific and educational purposes, including conservation of local species. An arboretum differs from a botanical garden in that the emphasis is placed on the growing of woody plants, whereas in the botanical garden no emphasis is placed on any particular kind of plant, but all types are grown. Modern botanical gardens are usually park-based and open to the public. They are focused on beauty, education, research and the opportunity to observe and admire nature. An arboretum provides various benefits for people, environment and wildlife. The main functions of an arboretum include:
• Preventing indigenous plant species from extinction
• Place for researchers and students to carry out research or learn about the different types of native plants
• To test the hardiness of untried varieties
• More information about the ethno-botanics of native plant species can be made available through research
• Place for recreation
• Wildlife habitat
• A “breathing” space for a high population centre
• Provide aesthetic values to the surrounding environment
• Can be used as a seed source
• A means of introducing new plants into the area, regardless of the source from which they may come
Instruction 494: FMIs may establish and manage arboreta for the purpose of providing one or more roles including conservation, research, recreation and education. Key considerations in establishing and managing an arboretum include:
• An arboretum can be established and run by an urban authority, a government institution, a private sector institution, a cultural institution, a local community, etc. provided they have the land and the resources (especially people and money)
• A plan how the arboretum will be established and managed should be prepared, including institutional arrangements
• If the area is a public space, e.g. in an urban area, the planning shall take a participatory approach, and take free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) into account (Section 10.8)
• The planting of the different groups of trees and shrubs should take into account the ecological needs of the plants, the requirements of good landscape design, and the best interests of the users (public, researchers, educationists, etc.). See also Section 3.6.12 on Establishment and Management of Urban and Peri-Urban Forests and Trees
• Start with a few species whose planting material can be easily found, and progress to species of interest, but whose specific methods of raising them in the nursery or at the planting site are complicated
• Every arboretum, large or small, should have its own propagating unit. Since many of the plants grown will be rare, they will not be available from commercial nurseries, hence the arboretum will have to propagate many species from seeds, cuttings or grafts.
• In order to maintain correct labelling it is essential that the plant groups be accurately mapped, and the maps kept updated as more plantings are done, and some of the plantings die for one reason or another. The maps should be simple and portable (preferably on A3 or A4). If the area is large sections of the arboretum can mapped separately, but it is important then to have one large map covering the whole area of the arboretum, including the areas not yet planted
• All data and information shall be entered into a database/register and kept at the office of the Arboretum Management Unit.
For more detail, see also Anoldia, 1960. How to Establish an Arboretum or Botanical Garden. This is a simple guide prepared for Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University, USA[1] .
Instruction 495: Trees in the arboretum shall be labelled with a permanent sign providing key information for both visitors and professional users. The material used for signs has to be resistant to sun, heat and rain.
Instruction 496: Each arboretum will have a number of key facilities including tree planting blocks, access roads, shelter, information board, main gate, label or name board of trees and planting block or compartment, nursery, water reservoir, fence, interpretation board, sign board for guiding visitors, control tower and offices for the Management Unit, among others.
Instruction 497: The tree planting blocks should be laid out based on the following:
(i) Plant taxonomy group.
(ii) Product purpose group such as timber, fruits, multipurpose tree species, medicinal plants, bamboo, palm trees.
(iii) Distinctness of plant species – how threatened the species are.
(iv) Ornamental tree species can be planted along the road from the main gate and as a border for each planting block.
Instruction 498: Information materials will include:
(i) Welcome board at the arboretum office for visitors.
(ii) Information board about the arboretum and the Management Unit Organization.
(iii) Information Board for Planting Blocks.
(iv) Information Board for any special tourism spot inside the arboretum.
(v) General guidelines for the arboretum and map of location leaflet.
(vi) Short information about each planting block leaflet.
(vii) Short information about special interest plants such medicine plants leaflet.
(viii) Short information about endangered, threatened and vulnerable tree species leaflet.
(ix) Short information about special areas of interest for tourism inside the arboretum.