Photo by Jess Cole
American Basswood, Tilia americana
Having stumbled upon the American basswood in my St. Francisville woods, unaware that it even inhabited this area, it has become my newest tree sweetheart. It is of stunning beauty, with giant, heart-shaped leaves, almost weeping, cascading over the edges of my creek among beech, magnolias, and sugar maples. The basswood is a tall tree that grows faster than many other native hardwoods, and has endless uses for humans and critters alike. The flowers, called Linden flower, were historically used by humans in medicinal hot baths, beauty products, and (my only use thus far) hot tea. The wood is easy to work, therefore great for carving. Historically, the pliable inner bark was soaked to be made into rope and netting. The American basswood tree supports over one hundred butterfly species, and benefits countless other wildlife, including honeybees. In fact, it offers so much nectar that it has become a tree prized by beekeepers. I would love to see American basswood used in the South as a street tree, as I have seen utilized in northern states.
