Basswood

(Tilia americana)

Interesting Information About Plant:

     The American Basswood is a hardwood tree that has soft wood that was commonly used by the Indians to make ropes, rugs, and bandages.  This tree has very large leaves, and is commonly found in the New England area and around the continent of North America; its native habitat.  The wood of the American Basswood is creamy in color and redder in the center.  It is also used mainly in carvings, furniture and the like, as the wood has a fine texture.  This tree can actually reach 130 feet in height, placing it as pretty large.

     The flower attracts many bees thus giving it the name of the Bee Tree.  It has a nectar which attracts the bees.  The bees make a white honey from the linden tree that is very fine in quality.  The fruit of this tree can be dried and made into a tea.  The American Basswood has many fine qualities and is prevalently dispersed in areas of Kentucky. 

Common Name: American Basswood             

Scientific Name:   Tilia americana

Family Name (Scientific and Common):   Tiliaceae

Continent of Origin: North America

Most Distinguishing Morphological Features of This Plant: The Basswood has modules that are differentiated from one another but are integrated into the hierarchy structure of the tree.  The basswood is a very light wood making it useful for many things as mentioned above.

Plant Growth Habit:   Large Tree

Height at Maturity:   More than 10 Feet

Life Span:    Perennial

Seasonal Habit:    Deciduous Perennial

Growth Habitat:    Full Sun 

Manner of Culture:   Native Species 

Thorns on Younger Stem?   No

Cross Section of Younger Stem: Roundish

Stem (or Trunk) Diameter:    More Than The Diameter of a Coffee-Mug 

Produces Brownish Bark?   Yes  

Bark Peeling in Many Areas?    Yes  

Characteristics of Mature (Brownish) Bark:   Lines Go Horizontal

Type of Leaf:   Flat, Thin Leaf  

Length of Leaf (or Leaflet):  Longer Than a Writing Pen

Leaf Complexity:    Simple 

Shape of Leaf:    Simple 

Edge of Leaf?    Serrated

Leaf Arrangement:  Alternate 

Leaf has Petiole?  Yes 

Patterns of Main-Veins:  Pinnate 

Leaf Hairiness:   No Hairs

Color of Foliage in Summer:    Green 

Change in Color of Foliage in October:     Changes to Yellow 

Flowering Season:   Summer 

Flowers:    in Loose Group 

Type of Flower:   Colorful Flower

Color of Flower:  Creamy Yellow 

Shape of Individual Flower:    Bilaterally Symmetrical 

Size of Individual Flower:  Larger than the Length of a Credit Card

Sexuality:   Hermaphroditic Flower 

Size of Fruit:    Smaller than a Quarter 

Fruit Fleshiness at Maturity?    Dry

Shape of Fruit:    Spherical   

Color of Fruit at Maturity:   Brown or Dry

Fruit Desirable to Birds or Squirrels?      Yes  

Is the Plant Poisonous:    None of Plant

Pesky Plant (weedy, hard to control)?    No

Common Name(s): American Linden, Bee Tree, Whitewood, Limetree

Louisville Plants That Are Most Easily Confused With This One:  Not many trees are confused with the Linden due to its shape of leaves and the type of flower it produces.  It can be confused with other trees that split maybe perhaps the sycamore, but very unlikely.

 

Page prepared:

November 2005