4. Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden

American Beech (Fagus grandifolia)

Photo: Romi Ige.

American beeches were planted as an estate tree on Long Island's Gold Coast at the turn of the 20th century, popular for their dark green leaves, which turn golden bronze in fall, and smooth, silvery-gray bark. Though the tree's edible nuts were never used to make the once popular Beech-Nut chewing gum, they can, however, be roasted and ground into a flour or used as a coffee substitute.

Notable Neighbors:

• 4A. American beech (Fagus grandifolia)
• 4B. Eastern white pine grove (Pinus strobus)
• 4C. China fir
  (Cunninghamia lanceolata 'Glauca')
• 4D. Stinking cedar (Torreya taxifolia)
• 4E. Katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum)