The American Basswood is a common tree, but it is not found just everywhere, but in certain locations, often with neutral to alkaline soil with a limestone parent rock. It grows in upland sites in woods as one of the climax trees or near woods, as it is very shade tolerant, from New Brunswick & southwest Quebec & southeast Ontario, all through New England down to eastern Tennessee to northern Arkansas up through all Missouri & Iowa & Minnesota and a little west over those last states borders. It has large leaves about 5 to 6 inches long x 3 to 4 inches wide. This species often produces some suckers close to the trunk. The little yellow flowers smell so good for a long distance and is loved by many kinds of bees and some other pollinating insects. It grows about 1.5 feet/year and lives about 150 to 200 years. It is a very windfirm tree, resistant to breakage. It is easy to transplant despite some deep course lateral roots. The American Linden or Basswood is sometimes sold by larger, diverse nurseries as the straight species, though the cultivar of 'Redmond' is more often sold there. Native plant nurseries often sell some. Lindens are used as a shade tree in a good number of yards, though many are the Littleleaf or Redmond Linden.

Reply to this comment

Valuable source of nectar and yellow to light orange pollen. Also a good source of honeydew

Reply to this comment

Basswood flowers are very fragrant and attract honey bees, some call the tree a honey tree
Basswood honey is often sold in areas where trees are numerous.
The tree is fast growing and the wood is prized by woodcarvers.

Reply to this comment