I’m putting in an arena on a very small property. I am constrained by lovely old native trees, the barn, and my backyard.
I can have 60’ by 60’ feet without a tree in the arena or 60’ x 70’ with a tree in the arena.
Which would you choose?
Without !
Without, because the base prep work you’d need to do all around that tree is likely to damage its roots and hasten its desmise. (Though if the tree is going to be just 10ft outside your arena fence, be aware that the construction work may put it at risk).
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If your site prep won’t hurt the tree, I have no problem with gaining a few extra feet for a tree. I’m assuming we’re talking outdoor arena, because I don’t know how you’d build an indoor with a tree in it? 
I have a 60x90ish outdoor with a huge old ash tree in one corner. Other than the blanket of leaves I have to rake out of that corner in the fall, it’s a nice shade break and it’s pretty. It even smells nice. I plan to build a small viewing deck to go underneath it next year.
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I’d go bigger with the tree…mine is 100x100 with an ash tree down the quarter line. Like @Heinz_57, it gives me nice shade in the summer and it just makes the ring look prettier, IMO 
Plus, it’s in a nice spot in my ring where it never feels in the way, and actually the shape of the trunk is perfect to hold all of my jump poles when put them up to drag!
It is an Ash tree, so it’s already going to die which helped with the decision, we’ll just make the stump something decorative, like a big planter, when the time comes to take it down.
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Smaller arena without an enclosed tree.
I built a stadium jumping course at my new place, just for training purposes, and designed it around the already existing trees. There are three turns where the rider has to decide whether to turn outside or inside a tree.
My background is fox hunting, and I thought the trees were a nice touch. But the majority of people who come to ride the course are really intimidated by the trees.
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