The arboretum was founded in 1975 with the purpose "to conduct scientific research in dendrology and
forestry and plant foreign woody plants for propagating purposes". It today contains some 2,500 different
taxa and some 45,000 individual plants. The whole arboretum is protected as a nature reserve by Latvian law. The arboretum is a member of the Nordic Association of Arboretums and the Baltic Association of Botanical Gardens. The arboretum is open to visitors and offers a variety of services, including the sale of plants. == Notable species ==