The concept of establishing an arboretum at the University of Guelph was approved in principal by the Board of Governors in 1966, and a master development plan was completed in 1970. It was envisioned at the time as a living laboratory, which would include facilities and collections to support needed research in woody plant adaptation and management and the teaching of undergraduate and graduate courses in botany, horticulture, and landscape architecture. Written by James R. Taylor, 1987