The arboretum encompasses 38 acres of forest and wetlands on the grounds of the Tifton campus of the University of Georgia.

The arboretum was established in 1987, with plant development and selection starting in 1991. It consists of a stream-side forest and wetland, and is dedicated to native plant species of the Georgia Coastal Plain.

The arboretum currently contains pine woods, a native azalea collection, and approximately 280 kinds of native trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants, some endangered.