Beech houses, and log cabins. Beech wood is used for the stocks of military rifles when traditionally preferred woods such as walnut are scarce or unavailable or as a lower-cost alternative. The fruit of the beech tree, known as beechnuts or mast, is found in small burrs that drop from the tree in autumn. They are small, roughly triangular and edible, with a bitter, astringent, or in some cases, mild and nut-like taste. They have a high enough fat content that they can be pressed for edible oil. Fresh from the tree, beech leaves in spring are a fine salad vegetable,
The Weeping Beech to generations of the Bowne family until 1945, the Bowne House reportedly served as a stop on the Underground Railroad prior to the American Civil War. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. It is also a New York City landmark. Kingsland Homestead is on the National Register of Historic Places. In making the designation to Landmark status, the Dept of historic preservation stated; ""the Landmarks Preservation Commission finds that the Weeping Beech Tree has a special character, special historical and aesthetic interest and value as part of the development, heritage and cultural characteristics of