Mr. Sam Popham came to Sri Lanka as a Volunteer to work for Sarvodaya and after his retirement, he had purchased 5 acres of Chena cultivated land and converted it to an arboretum.

The Popham Arboretum has about 70 different tree species all scientifically named.

Popham Arboretum is on the Dambulla-Kandalama Road, about 1 km from Dambulla.

An entrance fee is charged from tourists.