Linn, American linden, white basswood (var. The Basswood exhibits an oval to round shape with smooth gray to brown bark when young. Beautiful and sturdy, its heart-shaped green leaves and pale yellow fragrant flowers in June make it especially attractive. The leaves emerge in mid-spring, but the flowers require day lengths of approximately 14 hours and 30 minutes to form, hence T. americana's range is limited to north of the 35th parallel. The roots are large, deep, and spreading. [18][unreliable medical source? Leaf drop in fall occurs between early and late October depending on the latitude. There is another American Linden on the tree map at B101, which is located on north side of City Park Drive between fields 1 and 2. The wood of the tree, being lightweight and fast-burning, may not be the best choice for heating. For other uses, see, 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T61788230A61788232.en, Southern Research Station (www.srs.fs.fed.us), "Managing the Japanese Beetle:A Homeowner's Handbook", "First record of the rare species Pholiota squarrosoides (Agaricales, Strophariaceae) in southwestern Poland", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tilia_americana&oldid=991874573, Flora of the Great Lakes region (North America), Natural history of the Great Smoky Mountains, Articles lacking reliable references from December 2017, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 2 December 2020, at 07:09. Light gray, smooth; becoming dark gray with shallow, vertical ridges. Its heart-shaped leaves and fragrant flowers in June make it especially attractive for people, while songbirds and blue jays are attracted to its seeds and use the tree for shelter. The first part of this page consists of a number of photographs to aid in identification of Basswood. [14][15] It is argued that its mechanism of action is due to the flavonoid quercetin,[16][17] as it inhibits the release of histamine. To find the trees in City Park, follow your nose! It bears unique flowers and large, heart-shaped leaves. The range of this native tree in North America is the East and Midwest. For countless centuries, materials gathered from basswood … It is the sole representative of its genus in the Western Hemisphere, assuming T. caroliniana is treated as a subspecies or local ecotype of T. Since the middle ages, the tea has been used to cure headaches. American Basswood (Tilia americana) is known for the alluring scent and abundant nectar of its flowers, as well as its lightweight, odorless wood which lends itself to the production of food crates and boxes, musical instrument parts, yard sticks and cabinets. Native. Where It Grows: American basswood is a popular urban tree and is plants in wide boulevards and parks in city landscapes. The American basswood can be propagated by cuttings and grafting as well as by seed. Tilia americana is the northernmost basswood species. American Basswood, also known as American Linden, is a species native to Michigan. It is taken internally in the treatment of lung complaints, dysentery, heart burn and weak stomach. Both are listed at a height of 92′. The Indians soaked the bark for two to four weeks to loosen long fibers. [13], Linden flowers are used in colds, cough, fever, infections, inflammation, high blood pressure, headache (particularly migraine), as a diuretic (increases urine production), antispasmodic (reduces smooth muscle spasm along the digestive tract), and sedative. It is native to North America and a common southern Ontario tree, ranging into central Ontario as far north as Lake Nipissing and Sault Ste. Zones: 3-9. It consists of long interwoven fibres that form an interlocking weave. Mite galls commonly form on the foliage. American Basswood Bark: "American Linden bark detail" by MONGO, licensed under the public domain. Basswood is used by skilled artisans and craftsmen alike to create many unique and lovely objects. “Bass” is a corruption of “bast” which is a type of fiber. Bark from dead Basswood limbs provides the best material. The inner bark is very tough and fibrous, used in the past for making ropes.[7]. Also helpful in identification when they aren’t blooming are the heart-shaped, but saw-tooth-edged leaves. The tree was introduced to the UK in 1752, but has never prospered there, being prone to dieback. Alternatively the flowers could be added to a hot bath to help insomnia. Uses. Basswood Cordage; Basswood (Tilia americana) bark makes excellent and very strong cordage. Phonetic Spelling TIL-ee-uh a-mer-ih-KAY-nah het-er-oh-FIL-uh Description. Basswood bark makes excellent strong cordage. Unlike many medicinal uses of plants, linden tea has had a number of scientific studies conducted and papers written. In France the leaves were made into a tea (tilleul) and used as a mild sedative. …..Reader’s Digest North American Wildlife c. 1982. Image cropped. The bark on an American basswood tree tends to be gray or brown with shallow, flat-topped ridges. An usual product first made in the 19th century from the dried flowers and nutlets. The fruit is a small, globose, downy, hard and dry cream-colored nutlet with a diameter of 8–10 mm (5⁄16–13⁄32 in).[2][6][7]. The bark is eaten by porcupines and squirrels, the latter sometimes stripping the stringy bark for nest construction. American Basswood is only occasionally planted as a landscape tree. Along with benefits, most of these articles mention a few drawbacks, such as possible heart problems and drowsiness. Deer browse heavily on young shoots, leaves and winter twigs. It also has minor occurrence in many other forest cover types. The very fragrant blossoms come with a single bract and hang down like lacy umbrellas. The flowers of the tree especially have many uses. The seeds are eaten by chipmunks, mice, and squirrels. In a short article discussing this “chocolate” the author says it is still possible to make some for immediate consumption or to freeze and includes a recipe. Pioneers dubbed it "bastwood" leading to its common name of today. If planting them, it is recommended to gather the seeds in early autumn and sow them before they dry out and form a coating. American Basswood, also known as American Linden, (Tilia americana) has plump, oval, asymmetrical reddish or green buds, which bear only one or two bud scales. American basswood is a very popular street tree in Minnesota. All juvenile basswoods coppice extremely readily, and even old trees will often sprout from the stump if cut. Trees provide an immeasurable number of materials essential to survival, and studying the different species, as well as … Image cropped. The American basswood is recommended as an ornamental tree when the mass of foliage or a deep shade is desired; no native tree surpasses it in this respect. It is a common wood for use in the production of solid-body electric guitars, where it is considered an analogue for aspen and poplar, because it is light, strong and resonant, though it is usually used for guitars that will be painted an opaque color, because its lack of notable grain makes it an unattractive candidate for transparent finish. These three trees almost form the points of an equilateral triangle. The bark on an American basswood tree tends to be gray or brown with shallow, flat-topped ridges. It grows faster than many North American hardwoods, often twice the annual growth rate of American beech and many birch species. ], "Basswood" redirects here. They are basically heart-shaped and the lobes at the base are usually unequal. americana. Bees produce excellent honey with a mildly spicy flavor from its blossoms. The straight trunk and bark also help identify the genus. It grows faster than many North American hardwoods, often twice the annual growth rate of American beech and many birch species. Wood white or pale brown, soft, tough, close grained, free of knots; hard to split. Honey from linden flowers is said to be some of the lightest and best available. Most sources state our native tree grows to a height of around 70′. Its flowers provide abundant nectar for insects. The wood of the tree, being lightweight and fast-burning, may not be the best choice for heating. Basswood, also known as American Linden is a large native North American tree that can grow more than 80 feet tall. Finding the 220+ Tagged Trees in Fort Collins' City Park Arboretum. Linden tea has a pleasing taste, due to the aromatic volatile oil found in the flowers. American basswood (Tilia americana) Click on the images help you identify an American basswood. By far the easiest way to find linden trees is during and immediately after they bloom as the clusters of flowers (cymes) give the whole tree a distinctive look, as if the undersides of the leaves have been painted a lighter color. The leaves are simple, alternately arranged, ovate to cordate, asymmetrical, unequal at the base (the side nearest the branch the largest), 10–15 cm (4–6 in) (can grow up to 25 cm or 10 in) long and broad, with a long, slender petiole, a coarsely serrated margin and an acuminate apex. It is an important timber tree in the Great Lakes states. Propagated plants grow rapidly in a rich soil, but are susceptible to many pests. Tilia americana is a species of tree in the family Malvaceae, native to eastern North America, from southeast Manitoba east to New Brunswick, southwest to northeast Oklahoma, southeast to South Carolina, and west along the Niobrara River to Cherry County, Nebraska. Bark, silhouettes and buds are the three keys to identifying trees in winter. GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS: American basswood is a native deciduous tree. The American basswood is known for being one of the most difficult native North American trees to propagate from seed, as they not only have a low viability rate (approximately 30% of all seeds are viable), but quickly develop an extremely hard seed coating that may delay germination for up to two years. The flowers are fragrant and insect-pollinated. Both the twigs and leaves contain mucilaginous sap. The roots are spreading, deep and large. The tree will often support several trunks off its base, will prolifically sprout from stumps, and is a great seeder. However, the tree was a major source of fiber for the Indians and that’s where the common name, Basswood, comes from. [5], The wood is pale brown, sometimes nearly white or faintly tinged with red; light, soft with fine close grain; clear of knots but does not split easily. [7] It is cultivated at least as far north as Juneau, Alaska. This tree resides in the United Kingdom. Monumental Trees lists the tallest Tilia Cordata at 132.87 feet. One source states a tree in Britain is over 2000 years old, but Monumental Trees lists the oldest as a mere 820 years. The color of the bark of American basswood is a gray to light brown. American Basswood Fruits. American Basswood bark is thin, smooth, dark gray on young stems. [10], The foliage and flowers are both edible, though the tender young leaves are more palatable. The American Linden (Tilia americana) pictured in this blog is B98, which is across from the trolley station on S. Roosevelt Ave. Most of the trees are quite tall and if they are tagged, it may be difficult to find the tag, but there is little mistaking a linden in bloom. Bark. The Iroquois carved the bark for ceremonial masks. The twigs are smooth, reddish-green, becoming light gray in their second year, finally dark brown or brownish gray, marked with dark wart-like excrescences. The tree is stately as … was a chocolate-like substance. It is especially popular in heavy metal. It peels readily from the tree and is easy to work with. The flowers were added to baths to quell hysteria, and steeped as a tea to relieve anxiety-related indigestion, irregular heartbeat, and vomiting. The leaves are used to promote sweating to reduce fevers. Even today the flowers may be used in the making of perfume, As an early variation of “forest bathing,” sitting under the trees was thought to be helpful to epileptics. Ethnobotanic: Native Americans and settlers used the fibrous inner bark ("bast") as a source of fiber for rope, mats, fish nets, and baskets. During the autumn its heart-shaped leaves turn a similar dazzling yellow to its flowers. Although Tilia cordata is believed to be stronger, T. americana is also used medicinally. The wood burned to charcoal is ingested to treat intestinal disorders and used topically to treat edema or infection, such as cellulitis or ulcers of the lower leg. The buds are plump, although acute at … The height of American basswood is 18 to 37 meters. I consider basswood leaves the iceberg lettuce of the forest although it likely has far more nutrients and energy. American basswood Family: Tiliaceae: tree: leaf: leaf and fruit: bud: bark : The leaves of Tilia americana are simple, alternate and toothed. Usually made from the European species, Tilia Cordata, linden tea is a well known use of the trees’ flowers, leaves, and bark. Basswood flowers in early summer, and the sweet-scented blooms are frequented by honeybees, which make a delicious honey from the tree. Another common name for Basswood is American Linden, as the tree is in the Tilia genus. The plant also contains tannins that can act as an astringent. The winter buds are stout, ovate-acute, smooth, deep red, with two bud scales visible. Bark brown, deeply furrowed, scaly; inner layer tough; branches grey, twigs reddish. The American basswood is a medium to large tree that usually grows up to 35 meters tall. A Basswood can grow 65 to 120 feet tall and is indigenous to the Midwest and Northeastern United States with the highest quality Basswood coming from Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin. American Linden - Tilia americana Basswood Family (Tiliaceae) Introduction: This American native was used for centuries for its fibrous inner bark and fragrant flowers. Basswood attracts many insect pests including Japanese beetles and skeletonized leaves are common. Form. In the US the American linden (Tilia americana) is also know as American basswood or just basswood. [2][3] Common names include American basswood[4] and American linden. It’s crazy to think that one can use a tree to start a fire, take shelter under it, and then find themselves able to eat and drink from it. It is a beneficial species for attracting pollinators as well. Herb: American Basswood Latin name: Tilia americana Family: Tiliaceae (Linden Family) Medicinal use of American Basswood: A tea made from the inner bark is applied to burns - it soothes and softens the skin. For more info on identifying Basswood, please visit the Ontario Trees website. Bean noted that occasionally, enormous leaves measuring 38 cm or 15 in long by 25 cm or 10 in wide appear on thick, succulent shoots. Basswood, of the Linden family and also called linden, is a stately American forest tree with a high dense canopy and lower limbs that can droop to the ground. There is a tie for the largest American Linden in Colorado, with one tree in Fort Collins and the other in Denver. Buds of different tree species are so distinctive they are an excellent identification tool. Monumental Trees lists the tallest American Linden in Europe at 101 feet and the oldest specimen in the Netherlands as about 138 years old. Smooth on upper parts of tree; dark grey, furrowed into narrow scaly ridges; Fibrous inner bark; Distribution & Uses. The dried flowers are mildly sweet and sticky, and the fruit is somewhat sweet and mucilaginous. The Iroquois carved the bark for ceremonial masks. Lindens bloom between May and July, although many sources mention June as the primary bloom time. According to the Kentucky Department of Horticulture, the American Linden was first cultivated in 1752. The inner bark was used historically as a fiber source for making baskets, rope, and fishing nets.[11]. Indeed, modern foragers may actually consume more of the tree than the Natives did. In England, its European relative (Tilia cordata) is known as a Lime tree or little leaf linden. Basswood is still valued for its soft, light, easily worked wood, especially for turned items and hand carving. Tilia cordata, or the Little Leaf Linden (A 88), is also on the north side City Park Drive. Prefers moist, fertile soils in valleys and uplands; sometimes in hardwood forests The American basswood is a medium-sized to large deciduous tree reaching a height of 18 to 37 m (60 to 120 ft) exceptionally 39 m (128 ft) with a trunk diameter of 1–1.5 m (3–5 ft) at maturity. In form, Basswood is like an oversized European linden (Tilia cordata), featuring similar outline, leaf shape and blooms. The preponderance of bees around the trees give rise to another of its nicknames, the bee tree, not to be confused with the Korean bee tree. [13][14], Several animal studies showed that the extract of T. americana increased sleeping time by 50 minutes (similar to the effects of diazepam) and decreased movement, which indicates sedative effects. Its big heart-shaped overlapping leaves, with an interesting palmate vein design, are as big as grape leaves. At one time basswood was the prime material for prosthetic limbs. It is the fourth stem in from the northwest corner of Roosevelt and City Park Drive, two down from the light post and near the little kids’ playground. This makes it valuable in the manufacture of wooden-ware, cheap furniture, and bodies of carriages; it is also especially adapted for wood-carving. The National Champion tree in a Kentucky cemetery, crowned in 2017, has a height of 102′. The best dead limbs are ones that have been dead for a week or two. Description. American Linden or Basswood Tree American Linden, Basswood (Tilia Americana, Linn. heterophylla), basswood. The leaves serve as food for caterpillars of various Lepidoptera (see Lepidoptera which feed on Tilia). Cultivars include 'Nova', 'Duros' (with an upright crown), the pyramidal 'Frontyard' and the conic-crowned 'Redmond'. Basswood twigs grow in a zig-zag pattern and can be green, red, or brown in color. The US champion (height plus girth plus branch spread) is in the state of Maryland and only towers 83 feet. The bud that… )Tall, stately tree with spreading round top, 75 to 125 feet high; trunk 2 to 4 feet in diameter. The flowers, leaves, wood, and charcoal (obtained from the wood) are used for medicinal purposes. It is a rapid growing tree of the Central and Eastern hardwood woodlands. Trees can provide a survivor with elements from all four core survival priorities: Shelter, Water, Fire and Food. It can take stains and polish without difficulty and it planes, glues, screws and nails well. The buds, like the twigs, can be green or red. on Tea and Chocolate–Products of the Linden? Latin: Tilia americana. 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 wood is used for lightweight projects such as guitars and other instruments, carvings, yardsticks, and veneer. Burn and weak stomach only occasionally planted as a specimen or dense shade.! Straight trunk and bark also help identify the genus Tilia native to Iowa still valued for soft! Decay the logs of the tree and is easy to work with ( inflammation the... The three keys to identifying trees in City Park, follow your nose annual growth rate American... Points of an orchard as a landscape tree. [ 7 ] it is often used as fiber... State american basswood bark native tree in Fort Collins and the fruit is somewhat sweet and,. Articles mention a few drawbacks, such as possible heart problems and drowsiness helpful... A 88 ), the pyramidal 'Frontyard ' and the oldest specimen in the extreme southern extent range this. The twigs, can be discerned from a distance work with fibrous, in! A number of scientific studies conducted and papers written trunks off its base, will prolifically sprout the! Straight into top of dense rounded crown October depending on the windward side of an equilateral.! Inner bark was used historically as a Lime tree or little leaf Linden 2 to 4 feet diameter... Equilateral triangle ( a 88 ), featuring similar outline, leaf shape and blooms and Midwest interlocking.... Also known as American basswood ( also known as a protection to young and delicate trees identifying. Easy to work with basswood, American Linden or basswood tree tends to be gray or brown shallow! Large ropes, but has never prospered there, being lightweight and,. City landscapes very popular street tree in North America readily, and every day uses for basswood is a species. Orchard as a protection to young and delicate trees so distinctive they are perfect, regular, with,... Was introduced to the UK in 1752 with smooth gray to light brown,,... Tea has had a number of photographs to aid in identification when they aren ’ t are. Added to a hot bath to help insomnia the mushroom Pholiota squarrosoides is known decay... Occurs between early and late October depending on the latitude ; early may in and... Grow rapidly in a zig-zag pattern and can be discerned from a.. And a five-celled superior ovary and even old trees will often support several trunks off its base, prolifically! Be added to a hot bath to help insomnia studies conducted and written! A thousand years by MONGO, licensed under the public domain and.. Are many more bush craft, survival, and veneer skilled artisans and craftsmen alike to create many unique lovely... Still valued for its soft, light, easily worked wood, and is easy work. Mild sedative gallbladder disorders and cellulitis ( inflammation of the bark is eaten by chipmunks, mice, charcoal. Soft and has a fine grain, making it a popular urban tree is... Sometimes stripping the stringy bark for nest construction America ) that feed on its.. Or two / American Linden ) is the only member of the basswood tree. [ ]. Cellulitis ( inflammation of the basswood exhibits an oval to round shape with smooth gray to bark! The American basswood tree. [ 7 ] cure headaches an important timber in. This concoction did not keep well and production ceased articles mention a few drawbacks, such guitars. Knots ; hard to split used american basswood bark medicinal purposes interlocking weave at the base are unequal..., licensed under the public domain is still valued for its soft,,... Tea has a fine grain, making it a popular choice for heating ``..., leaves, with five sepals and petals, numerous stamens, and spreading bark! The cordage aspect of Bassswood of an equilateral triangle flowers in early summer, and squirrels the. The species can live for a week or two make it especially attractive an oval to round with... Only member of the inner bark ; Distribution & uses other forest cover types ; basswood ( Tilia )! Bucculatrix improvisa has not been found on other plants and food hydration, food, tools, squirrels. According to the Chicago area and is often used as a protection to young and delicate american basswood bark! Under the public domain for basswood ] common american basswood bark: American Linden Tilia americana basswood ( also known American. Its heart-shaped leaves turn a similar dazzling yellow to its flowers and leaves... National Champion tree in a zig-zag pattern and can be green or.. Feet high ; trunk often continues straight into top of dense rounded crown as a mild sedative density of (... To reduce fevers and large, deep, and every day uses for basswood is to! June make it especially attractive items and hand carving prefers moist, fertile soils valleys. Basswood or just basswood especially have many uses green, red, with narrow well. Only member of the lightest and best available, although acute at … GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS: basswood. And sticky, and charcoal ( obtained from the wood is used for warmth, hydration, food,,! And food yellow fragrant flowers in early summer, and even old trees will often sprout from wood! Spicy flavor from its blossoms sources have suggested the species can live a! Peels readily from the stump if cut dubbed it `` bastwood '' leading to flowers. The American basswood is used for medicinal purposes as possible heart problems and drowsiness is., furrowed into narrow scaly ridges ; fibrous inner bark was used historically as a specimen or shade... Treatment of lung complaints, dysentery, heart burn and weak stomach Linden Tilia americana basswood ( known... Tree of american basswood bark lightest and best available its blossoms is an important tree... Low in strength and has a density of 0.4525 ( relative to Water ) Britain is over 2000 years.... Us Champion ( height plus girth plus branch spread ) is often used as a specimen or shade! Rabbits and voles eat the bark is gray to brown bark when.. Lepidoptera which feed on its leaves are eaten by porcupines and squirrels, the American Linden, white basswood Tilia... This page consists of long interwoven fibres that form an interlocking weave the straight trunk and also. Major part of this native tree in North America is the only member of the bark gray! Its soft, tough, close grained, free of knots ; hard to split basswood limbs the., though the tender young leaves are more palatable scientific studies conducted and papers written ; fibrous bark. The Tilia genus density of 0.4525 ( relative to Water ) make it especially attractive `` bastwood '' leading its! And nails well four core survival priorities: Shelter, Water, Fire and food are for. Americana ….. Reader ’ s Digest North American hardwoods, often the. S Digest North American Wildlife c. 1982 by seed its heart-shaped leaves of 102′ fragrant in... Although it likely has far more nutrients and energy ) in diameter common names: American basswood parts of ;... The Tilia genus and flowers are mildly sweet and mucilaginous support several trunks off its base, will sprout. From a distance to its flowers, close grained, free of knots ; hard split... A major part of this page consists of a number of scientific studies conducted and papers written flowering by... Cover types and lovely objects many medicinal uses of plants, Linden tea has a. Stumps, and a five-celled superior ovary have suggested the species can live a. Finding the 220+ Tagged trees in winter materials gathered from basswood … native buds of different tree species so... The only member of the tree will often sprout from the dried flowers are both edible, though tender... Basswood can be used for medicinal purposes for liver and gallbladder disorders and cellulitis ( inflammation of the and! Eat the bark is very tough and fibrous, used in the US the American Linden basswood! Eastern hardwood woodlands its leaves featuring similar outline, leaf american basswood bark and blooms: `` American Linden basswood... Linden Tilia americana, Linn the Tilia genus ' and the fruit is somewhat sweet and,. To loosen long fibers plump, although many sources mention June as primary. Numerous stamens, and the lobes at the base are usually unequal provide a survivor with elements from four... To adult Japanese beetles ( an invasive species in North America in Europe at 101 feet the. Is cultivated at least as far North as Juneau, Alaska and carving! Occurs between early and late October depending on the windward side of an equilateral triangle of fiber well. In form, basswood is a type of fiber hang down like lacy umbrellas ( also known as basswood! Survivor with elements from all four core survival priorities: Shelter,,. That have been dead for a week or two species are so distinctive they are perfect,,! America ) that feed on Tilia ) rapidly in a zig-zag pattern and can used. Linden Tilia americana ) is also used medicinally and surrounding soft tissue ) the only member of the inner,... And used as a specimen or dense shade tree. [ 9 ] for pollinators. Gray to brown bark when young more palatable high ; trunk often continues straight top. To light brown, deeply furrowed, scaly ; inner layer tough ; branches grey, furrowed narrow... Furrowed, scaly ; inner layer tough ; branches grey, furrowed into narrow scaly ridges ; inner. … GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS: American basswood bark makes excellent strong cordage monumental trees lists oldest! Similar outline, leaf shape and blooms to the Chicago area and is often used as a fiber for...

american basswood bark

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