Tilia americana

Attracts birds, native bees, honey bees and supports conservation biological control.

Upland, deciduous woods and north & east slopes of mesic ravines.

A hot bath with basswood flowers, followed by a cup of linden-flower tea, is said to soothe cold symptoms and enhance sleep. The flowers are also used in beauty products. (Kershaw) Native peoples and settlers soaked the inner bark in water to separate its tough fibres, which were then used to make ropes, nets, mats, shoes, clothing and thread. Some tribes carved ritual masks on living trees, then split the masks away to hollow and dry the inside. If the tree survived, the mask was believed to have supernatural powers. (Kershaw) Basswood is light, weak, low in resistance to shock, and soft, but moderately stiff. It has large shrinkage, but stays in place well after seasoning. It has low nail-holding ability, but resists splitting. The wood of basswood is easy to work, holds paint well, and glues easily. It is prized by wood carvers because it is easily worked and has an even grain. Most basswood is cut into lumber for remanufacture into crates and boxes. Higher grades are used for sash, doors, and general millwork. Considerable amount goes into furniture, especially as core stock to be overlaid with high-grade veneers. Basswood is also used for pulpwood.