Basswood, also known as American Linden, is a large native North American tree that can grow more than 80 feet tall.In addition to being a majestic tree in the landscape, basswood is a soft, light wood and prized for hand carvings and making baskets. The foliage is green on the upper surface and a paler shade below. The name basswood came from a use made by native Americans of using its fibrous, tough inner bark or "bast" for making cords, thongs and ropes. The "Redmond" American linden (Tilia americana “Redmond”) is also suited to USDA zones 3 through 8 and can shoot up as much as 3 feet per year. ), and Illawarra flame tree (Brachychiton acerifolius.) American Basswood Leaves - Photo by Paul Wray, Iowa State University. Basswood leaves are coarsely serrated with pointed teeth and are often heart-shaped. Does a Eucalyptus Tree Turn Brown in the Winter? American Basswood Twig Variations - Photos by Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, ISU Extension and Outreach The linden tree (also commonly known as basswood or lime tree, despite being unrelated to the fruit bearing bush of the same name) falls within the Tilia genus, a group of around 30 species of trees native to the Northern hemisphere. Fast-growing and deciduous, basswood trees generally reach a mature height of 65 to 70 feet, growing about 24 inches per season. Annual fertilizing is not needed for basswood trees. Both "Redmond" and "Fastigiata" prefer well-drained soils that do not need to be kept consistently moist. Eliminating insects on smaller, younger trees can be as simple as knocking insects off with a hard spray of water. Basswoods are highly adaptable to soil conditions. Tilia is a genus of about 30 species of trees. In summer, the basswood produces creamy white to pastel yellow bracts of perfect flowers, which means that the flowers have both male and female parts. The name 'Basswood' derives from the word 'bast.' Basswood trees are not fussy or high-maintenance, and they tend to live about 150 years. These trees are quite hardy and thrive in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 8. Also found in protected bluffs and ravines; found throughout Iowa. This tree grows best in USDA zones 3 through 8. The leaves turn light yellow to brown in the fall. Re: Basswood trees Thanks for the replies. If you cut down a Basswood tree, the stump quickly sends up numerous young shoots, each of which can grow into a tree. Basswood trees prefer moist soil although they also thrive in clay, loamy or sandy soils. Leaves: Alternate, simple, double-toothed with unequal leaf bases, Seed Dispersal Dates: September and October. Twigs are light brown to gray in color with prominent, plump, bluntly pointed, dark red buds. Carolina basswoods are smaller trees, normally growing 20 to 40 feet tall with a trunk less than two feet in diameter. In addition to 'Basswood,' trees in this genus are referred to as 'Linden' and 'Lime' trees. "Redmond" branches droop attractively but resist breaking. Heavy insect infestations or diseases can often be treated with a spray of insecticidal soap or horticultural oil, available in premixed formulations or homemade: Mix 2 tablespoons of mild dish detergent or a combination of dish detergent and 2 tablespoons of canola oil with a gallon of water, and spray the foliage thoroughly. The guy that lives next to my brother lost 7 trees, my brother lost 5 2 maple 2 basswood and an oak tree. The upright branches of Tilia americana “Fastigiata” form a narrower, more pyramidal shape than other basswood species. It grows mainly in mountain areas, where it is a valuable timber tree. The leaves of basswood are alternately arranged, heart-shaped with unequal bases, coarsely toothed, and 3-6 inches in length. A grove of three Basswood trees growing close together. On older trunks, the bark breaks into long, medium ridges and furrows, dark gray to almost black in color. Basswood trees thrive in full sun to partial shade and can grow well in loamy, sandy or clay soils. In the fall, the basswood leaves turn light yellow to dark gold or tan before falling from the tree. It grows well in drained, deep, rich, fertile and moist soil and is adaptable in different soil conditions. Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons. Basswood has a very distinct fruit; it is an open cluster of hard nutlets borne on a stem which comes from the center of a narrow elliptical, life-like wing. She edited a weekly home-and-garden tabloid for her hometown newspaper and has regularly contributed to weekly and daily newspapers, as well as "Law and Order" magazine. Basswood is a large, (70-80 feet in height), wide-spreading, round-topped tree with dense foliage. Easy-to-Care-for Ornamental Trees for Landscape. American Basswood Flowers - Photo by Paul Wray, Iowa State University. American basswood is native to the Chicago area and is often used as a specimen or dense shade tree. The American basswood (Tilia americana) is the only member of the genus Tilia native to Iowa. The wood is … If you're treating a fungal infection, add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to the mixture. Linden flower honey produced by bees that frequent the trees is highly prized, according to North Dakota State University Extension's website. North Dakota State University Extension: American Linden or Basswood, Iowa State University Extension: American Basswood (Tilia Americana), Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute: American Linden, Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute: "Fastigiata" American Linden, Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute: "Redmond" American Linden, University of Florida IFAS Extension: Tilia Americana "Fastigiata", University of Florida IFAS Extension: Home Remedies for Insect and Disease Control on Plants. The neighbors trees all basswood, cut up and stacked to be hauled away and along came the city cleanup truck and ground them up . Basswood trees do well in riparian areas where the soil is moist, and it easily withstands brief periods of flooding. The summer flowers are not show-stoppers, but they have a pleasing fragrance that is irresistible to butterflies and bees. The two-toned leaves are green on the upper surface and a lighter green underneath. Audrey Lynn has been a journalist and writer since 1974. The genus is generally called Lime or Linden in Britain and Linden, Lime, or Basswood in North America but they are not closely related to the lime fruit. Basswood bark typically divides into vertical plates. This is a common trait of this species. In addition to 'Basswood,' trees in this genus are referred to as 'Linden' and 'Lime' trees. The city of Rockford lost over 1000 trees in the storm. It is found on rocky slopes. It grows in loam soils rich in nitrogen and comprises mixed hardwood forests across this region. American Basswood Fruit - Photo by Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Basswood is the favorite tree of both honeybees and beekeepers. Bark color ranges from dark gray to light green and furrowed or scaly, and the trunk can exceed 100 inches in circumference at maturity. The heartwood of basswood is not resistant to decay, so that old trees in the woods are likely to be hollow, thus providing cavities and nesting locations for many species of wildlife. 339 Science II The fast-growing trees can shoot up two feet each year until they reach about 65 to 70 feet tall. The bark is light or silvery gray, and smooth or finely ridged on branches and young trunks. The canopy is upright and broad, with some trees spreading 60 feet or more, providing abundant shade from the hot summer sun. Tillia, a genus of over 30 species of trees from subfamily Tilioideae is a type of a tree that has originated from temperate parts of the western and northern hemisphere but has managed to achieve large diversity in the comparable territories of Asia where most of the variations of this tree can be found. The genus occurs in Europe and eastern North America, but the greatest species diversity is found in Asia. This refers to the stringy inner bark of this tree, which was used to make rope, woven baskets, mats, and fish nets. Proper watering is essential to prevent root rots. The name 'Basswood' derives from the word 'bast.' American basswood can grow in full sunlight. Tilia is a beautiful, large and long-lived tree. Basswood Tree Identification . The heartwood of basswood is not resistant to decay, so that old trees in the woods are likely to be hollow, thus providing cavities and nesting locations for many species of wildlife.