Tilia americana – American basswood, American linden

Trees naturally occur in dry upland, as well as low moist woods.

Trees produce small nutlets, which ripen by late summer.

Honey made from flowers is a prized gourmet item.

Flowers also can be used to make tea.

Syrup can be made from sweet tree sap.

The fall color is an undistinguished pale green to pale yellow.

Genus name comes from the Latin name for the linden or lime tree, known in southern Sweden as linn and the origin of the name Linnaeus.

Specific epithet is in obvious reference to the native territory of this species.

The common name basswood is in reference to the inner bark (bast), it is used to make rope and mats.

The Great Lakes region, in particular, often harvests the light wood of basswood to make furniture, shipping crates, boxes, and veneer.