Basswood or Linden (Tilia americana)

Form

Height 60 to 80 feet, but often exceeding 100 feet with a diameter of 1 to 3 feet; trunk often continues straight into top of dense rounded crown. Stump sprouts readily and is often seen as a group of 4 to 5 stems originating from an old stump.

Bark

Gray with shallow furrows and vertical, scaly ridges.

Leaf

Alternate; length and width 4 to 6 inches; heart-shaped, margin coarsely toothed, sharp-pointed at tip; at maturity, thick, shiny green above and paler underneath.

Fruit

Round, hard, nut-like 1/4 inch in diameter, containing 1 to 2 seeds; covered with short, thick, brownish-red wool, attached in clusters to a leafy bract which later acts as a wing to disseminate seeds on wind; fruit often hangs on tree long into winter. Flowers are fragrant, and from them choice-grade honey is made by bees.

Range

Common throughout the state on rich, well-drained loamy soils, in mixture with other hardwoods.

Wood

Light, soft, tough, not durable; light-brown with scarcely distinguishable sapwood; used in manufacture of paper pulp, wooden ware, furniture, trunks, crating, drawing boards and lumber.