American Basswood (Tilia americana): Fragrant Flowers for Bees

American basswood, or American linden, is a large deciduous tree native to eastern North America, valued for its fragrant, nectar-rich flowers that produce premium honey and its lightweight wood.

Botanical Profile

Description and Features

This tree grows 60–80 feet tall with a dense, oval crown. Leaves are large, heart-shaped, asymmetrical base. Flowers are pale yellow, extremely fragrant, in clusters with a distinctive leaf-like bract. Fruit is a small, hard nutlet. Bark is gray, furrowed.

Cultivation and Uses

Basswood prefers full sun to partial shade, moist, well-drained soil. It is a premier honey tree; basswood honey is light and delicate. Wood is soft, light, used for carving, boxes, veneer. Inner bark (bast) used for fiber.

Wildlife

Flowers attract massive numbers of bees; seeds feed small mammals.