Basswood Trees Information
Basswood trees populate North America and have a long history stretching back to their use by Native Americans. The tree is currently valued for many reasons, both by animals and people. Basswood is valuable in commercial industries due to its lightness and aesthetic qualities and has medicinal properties as well.
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Specifications
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Basswood (also known as linden) trees grow to an extremely large size; adults have the potential to reach up to 100 feet. Trees tend to have branch-free trunks, which reach up to large branches that curve upwards. Bark is generally scaly, narrow and flat. Leaves have a toothed edge and are very elongated and large, normally reaching up to 4 and a half inches.
Basswood trees serve as home to many animals, including squirrels, mice and rabbits. Foxes and many species of birds feed on the seeds, and deer commonly feed on twigs and leaves.
Flower & Fruit
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Flowers grow on narrow structures that look like leaves. They are small--normally only about half an inch wide--and grow in clusters. The flowers are white to yellowish in appearance and tend to appear in the summertime. The flowers also attract bees during the summer months.
The fruits of basswoods are small round acorns with brown hairs. They are about a quarter of an inch wide and tend to hang in clusters, much like the flowers. The fruits are very woody and contain the tree’s seed. They remain dormant and hang on to the tree during the winter months.
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Geography
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Basswoods are located within North America, mostly within the eastern and northern parts. Extending as far north as parts of eastern Canada, basswoods also grow as far west as Minnesota and Kansas and as far south as North Carolina.
Historic Uses
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The basswood bark was used by many Native Americans to make rope, due to its strength, softness and fibrous nature. The tree was also important for rituals, providing the wood for creating masks.
The flowers of basswood are used to make linden tea, which was thought to have sedative properties and was sometimes used to fight colds prior to the availability of modern medicines.
Modern Commercial Uses
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Since basswood has a fine texture, straight grain and is very light, it has many commercial uses. It is commonly used as a crate wood due to its lightness. Other uses include furniture, frames, toys and many other objects where a light wood is beneficial. Basswood is even commonly used in casket making. Basswood's color is a light, creamy brown, providing an aesthetically pleasing look to many people.
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