Tilia americana (Basswood)

A genuine bee magnet whose common nickname says it all, basswood's intensely fragrant summer flowers are so rich in nectar that flowering trees literally hum with bee activity - producing a strongly flavored, prized honey and making this species a prime forage tree for any pollinator-focused planting.

Species Overview

Tilia americana, commonly called American basswood or American linden, is a large deciduous shade tree native to eastern and central North America, typically growing 50 to 80 feet tall (occasionally taller) with a stout trunk and broad, rounded crown. Fragrant, pale yellow flowers bloom in early summer, giving the tree its widely-used nickname "bee tree."

Application

• Large shade and street tree plantings - handsome specimen or urban canopy tree
• Prime bee forage tree - flowers produce sought-after "basswood honey"
• Naturalized woodland and riparian restoration
• Historical fiber and craft material source (inner bark/bast)

Growing Conditions / Specification Data

• Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
• Soil/Moisture Tolerance: Moist, well-drained soils; highly adaptable to a range of conditions
• Plant Type: Tree
• Mature Height: 50-80 ft.
• Fall Color: Yellow
• Wetland Indicator Status: NI (No Indicator) - see flags
• Native Range: Northeast/Mid-Atlantic (full list)
• Hydrology: Dry-Mesic
• Root Depth: Very Deep (36 in.+) (roots are large, deep, and spreading)
• Salinity Tolerance: Low
• Growth Rate: Rapid (grows faster than many North American hardwoods, often twice the annual growth rate of American beech)
• Drought Tolerance: Moderate
• Deer Resistance: Some
• Flood Tolerance: Low - An upland-to-mesic forest canopy tree; not documented as flood tolerant.
• Shade Tolerance: Intermediate
• Growth Habit: Upright
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-8
• Pollinator Value: Supports bees

Planting Guidance

• Tends to sprout at the base, producing a clump of trunks around the original tree over time. The inner bark (bast) was historically soaked in water by Indigenous peoples and settlers to separate tough fibers used for rope, nets, mats, and thread.