American Basswood

Tilia americana

Available sizes: 3g

Max Size: 80′ tall x 60′ wide
Average Size: 60′ tall x 40′ wide

Clay, Loam, Sand
Part Shade, Shade
Usually Moist, Occasionally Moist
No salt tolerance

AKA: Linden, White Wood, Bee Tree, White Basswood

These attractive shade trees are deciduous with a yellow fall color. They bloom with fragrant white or yellow flowers in the spring and ripen their inedible fruits in the fall. It has been said to be a good tree for honey production. Small mammals eat the seeds, and the flowers attract many pollinators, especially bees. It is also the larval host for the Red Spotted Purple Butterfly.

The tree’s inner bark produces exceptionally strong bark fibers that make it one of the most widely and commonly used species for fiber work (twine, shoes, houses, mats, rope, clothes, thread for wound care or fiber arts, netting, etc). The wood is also useful for building and was favored for canoes. Modern uses include everything from furniture to pulpwood and toys. The Ojibwa eat the young buds raw or cook them as greens; they also make use of the sweet sap.