Sam Popham, an Englishman with an unmatched fondness for trees, built this Arboretum on a seven and a half-acre jungle in 1969. In its natural setting, there is an amazing spectrum of trees, birds, butterflies, and mammals. The Popham’s arboretum is typical of the Ebony, Palu, Margosa, Veera, Milla, Tamarind, Velan and Ceylon Ironwood trees that are common in the semi-evergreen monsoon dry forest. To add to its beauty, wooden bridges are built on small streams. A Popham’s arboretum is a place where trees are grown for study and display as a tree garden.
Jungle Magpie Robbins, Jungle Fowl, Red-ventilated and Black-hated Bulbs, Black-headed Orioles, Crimson-backed Woodpeckers, Brown-headed Barbets, Black-headed Orioles, Paradise Flycatchers, Eagles, and many other creatures living this arboretum. It is also home to animals such as to spotted Deer, Wild Boar, Porcupine, Mouse Deer, Black Naped Hare, Rock Squirrels, and the rare (endemic) Slender Loris.
The Arboretum is an environment study center among school children, especially in surrounding communities. This place is very important for those interested in trees and related species. Tourists can camp at night and can visit the arboretum at night.
