American Basswood
Tilia americana · Deciduous broadleaf hardwood
Plant Family
Malvaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species type with no widely planted distinct cultivar shown
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8
About This Tree
Large, stately tree with a straight trunk, rounded to oval crown, dense canopy, and fast growth rate, known for heart-shaped leaves and fragrant cream-colored flowers
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate, broadly heart-shaped to ovate leaves, 5 to 10 inches long, coarsely serrate margins, uneven cordate base, and acuminate tip
Bark Characteristics
Light gray to dark brown bark, deeply furrowed with flat-topped ridges, often developing scaly plates and distinct vertical fissures as it matures
Growing Information
Origin Region
Eastern and central North America
Growing Season
Spring leaf-out, early summer flowering, late summer fruiting, autumn golden-yellow color, winter dormancy
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade, moderate water requirements, prefers moist, well-drained soils but has moderate adaptability
Mature Size
60 to 80 feet tall with a spread of 30 to 50 feet, fast to moderate growth rate, typical lifespan of 100 to 140 years
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tree, soft and lightweight timber used for carving, highly fragrant flowers popular with bees for producing basswood honey
Wildlife & Ecology
Attracts numerous pollinators including bees and butterflies with its nectar-rich flowers, seeds and buds consumed by birds and small mammals, provides nesting habitat