Founded in 1992 by Jerry Baker, the Baker Arboretum now covers nearly 115 acres. Built on a ridge of rolling hills in the outskirts of Bowling Green Kentucky, the arboretum overlooks Bowling Green and the Western Kentucky University campus. Working with the tree and art collections, landscape architect Mitchell Leichhardt (1924-2015) designed a tapestry of trees and art. Featuring many varieties of dogwoods, magnolias and other flowering trees, woven among the conifers and Japanese maples.
Visitors will enjoy year-round highlights. Not only spring and summer blooms, but also the fall color and the beauty of conifers in the wintertime.
ar·bo·retum: a place where trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants are cultivated for scientific and educational purposes. Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, plantation of trees, from arbor. Plural noun: Arboreta
Similar to a botanical garden, an arboretum displays plants for educational, research and ornamental purposes. Arboreta focus on trees and shrubs. Both arboreta and botanical gardens play important roles in conservation and preservation. They are places to see a greater range of plants that can grow in an area, see how to use different plants to create a pleasing landscape, and to see mature plants to appreciate their ultimate sizes and characteristics. An additional role is for people to have a green space to visit for the spiritual and emotional benefits of a quiet natural environment.