The Living Collection

The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden's (EBMJG) tree collection is comprised of living organisms. Like a museum where juxtaposed exhibits within a given space create a narrative, each tree in our collection plays a role within the Garden's composition, or design intent drafted in 1981 by Edward Lovell, ASLA. Signature trees such as the Japanese black pines, Japanese maples, and ginkgos are essential components to any Japanese garden. Specimen trees like the Chinese flame tree, Hong Kong orchid, plum, pink cloud cherry, evergreen pears, and saucer magnolias add to the overall desired aesthetic of the EBMJG. Groves of fern pines, Canary Island pines, sweet gums, and Aleppo pines make up the Garden's perimeter form a back-drop and complete the visitor's transportation from a busy urban college campus to a serene refuge for all to enjoy.

The collection of trees at the EBMJG provides aesthetic enjoyment and increases the quality of life for the University and the greater Long Beach community. Feel free to bring the map and tree list next time you visit to identify the variety of beautiful trees. Watch them grow and change over the seasons.

In 2008, the following Japanese garden tree species was produced as part of Detailed Conservation Survey funded by the Institute of Museums and Library Services and the Miller Foundation. Each tree was given a unique coordinate, which serves as its individual identity. A profile is kept on each tree indicating its species, health, and maintenance profile. To have these identifying coordinates readily available, tree tags were attached to our trees in the Garden. However, upon your next visit you won't even notice these tags and observe that the Garden is relatively free of signage or other visual distractions to preserve the visitor's aesthetic experience. Enough of our background trees contain these markers to provide staff with reference points in order to identify the locations of the entire collection while on the ground. Increased knowledge about the Japanese Garden's tree collection has equipped staff with more resources for planning the Garden's healthy future.

Download our Tree List (PDF)

Download our Plant Archive (PDF)

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