(Tilia americana)
The Linden Family (Tiliaceae)
A fast growing tree with large, deciduous, heart-shaped leaves arranged alternately on long leaf stalks (petioles).
Habitat:
Moist forests and lowlands
Interesting Facts:
Native peoples and settlers soaked the inner bark in water to separate its tough fibers that were then used to make ropes, nets, mats, shoes, clothing and thread.
Fruit:
Fruits are round nutlets in a cluster on a wiry stalk attached to a leaf-like bract.
Flower:
Clusters of 5-15 small, yellowish-white flowers are attached by a stalk to a 4-5” long leaf-like bract.
Wildlife value:
Basswood nectar is favored by bees and makes a strong honey; it is a larval plant for Red-spotted Purple and Mourning Cloak butterflies as well as 150 species of caterpillars in North America. The seeds are eaten by squirrels and chipmunks and other small mammals.
Fruit
Bark
Leaf type:
Simple
Pollinator:
Wildlife value:
Tree dimensions:
Leaf length: 5.00-8.00 inches
Tree height: 30.00-130.00 feet
Where to find American Basswood on the Louisiana State Arboretum Trails:
BCY - Bald Cypress Loop 9.0
TER - Walker Terrace 32.0
Refer to our Live Map to locate this species and its interpretative signage on the trail system.