Arboretum Wespelaar grows a number of trees and shrubs from the temperate regions of the world. The Arboretum is well known for its extensive collections of Acer, Magnolia and Rhododendron as well as some less familiar genera such as Carya, Euonymus, Lindera, Stewartia, Styrax, Viburnumn etc.. These collections have been planted throughout the 20 hectare of the Arboretum.

The collection was started in 1985 by Philippe de Spoelberch, a passionate dendrologist, and is today owned and managed by the Foundation Arboretum Wespelaar. It has become a world class Arboretum and scientific institution.

Botanical explorations around the world resulted in the introduction of many plants from known wild provenance. The ambition of Arboretum Wespelaar is to contribute to the knowledge and further study of all woody plants from the temperate climates of the world. By building up living collections of as many species as possible within our target groups, the Arboretum hopes to contribute to the conservation of rare and threatened species.

Our collection of trees and shrubs includes many species which are listed as vulnerable up to critically endangered in the international IUCN Red List, as well as in recent BGCI Red Lists created especially for certain genera or families.