Basswood
Tilia americana
Also listed as Tilia alabamensis, Tilia apposita
Also known as American Basswood, American Linden, American Lime
Climate Match for your location
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A large, deciduous shade tree with heart-shaped leaves and fragrant yellowish flowers that attract bees and butterflies. Also known as American linden, it's valued for its dense canopy and is a favorite for street and landscape plantings.
Why grow it
Basswood outperforms many other large shade trees in its tolerance for urban conditions and compacted soils, while offering superior bee forage compared to most ornamental species. It establishes faster than oaks and hickories, reaching mature size within 30-40 years, making it practical for mid-rotation permaculture systems. Among lindens, the American species is hardier in northern regions than littleleaf linden and requires less fussy soil management than European types.
Watch out for
Young trees benefit from consistent moisture during establishment; drought stress can slow growth and reduce vigor. The soft wood and dense canopy make it prone to storm damage in exposed sites, so site selection and early structural pruning matter significantly for long-term form. Aggressive self-seeding can occur in ideal conditions, so monitor for volunteer seedlings if that becomes unwanted.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Malvaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A large, deciduous shade tree with heart-shaped leaves and fragrant yellowish flowers that attract bees and butterflies. Also known as American linden, it's valued for its dense canopy and is a favorite for street and landscape plantings.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Basswood grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Basswood outperforms many other large shade trees in its tolerance for urban conditions and compacted soils, while offering superior bee forage compared to most ornamental species. It establishes faster than oaks and hickories, reaching mature size within 30-40 years, making it practical for mid-rotation permaculture systems. Among lindens, the American species is hardier in northern regions than littleleaf linden and requires less fussy soil management than European types.
Watch out for
Young trees benefit from consistent moisture during establishment; drought stress can slow growth and reduce vigor. The soft wood and dense canopy make it prone to storm damage in exposed sites, so site selection and early structural pruning matter significantly for long-term form. Aggressive self-seeding can occur in ideal conditions, so monitor for volunteer seedlings if that becomes unwanted.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Malvaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar canopy trees you might consider:
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