Scientific name: Tilia Americana
Family: Malvaceae (Mallows family)
The native American basswood can be found throughout Ohio. When in bloom, the flowers of the American basswood attract bees that turn the nectar into high-quality honey. This tree’s wood is weak, odorless, and lightweight, making it an ideal choice for crates and boxes used to store food. The inner bark of the tree is very tough and was used by the Native Americans to create ropes, mats, and bandages. American basswood is prone to insects and disease, particularly leaf-chewing insects like the Japanese beetle.
Identification
LEAF: Alternate, oval leaves are 3-4 inches wide, 3-7 inches long, and roughly toothed with an asymmetrical, heart-shaped base. In the fall, the leaves turn from green to various shades of yellow.
TWIGS AND BUDS: Twigs have a zigzag growth pattern and may be green to red, with older twigs being shiny gray. Buds usually range from reddish brown to bright red to green in winter, and the terminal bud is false.
FLOWER: Small, perfect creamy flowers open in early summer; they are noted for their fragrance and nectar.
FRUIT OR SEED: Hard, rounded fruits hang suspended in clusters from a stalk attached to a leaf-like bract. Fruits ripen by late summer and are often eaten by wildlife.
BARK: Young bark is smooth, shiny, and light gray. Mature bark is lightly fissured and medium gray to brown in color. Mature bark ridges are usually flattened and straight or interlacing.
SHAPE: Shape ranges from oval to irregular; lower limbs are pendulous but upswept at tips.
MATURE HEIGHT: 70-90 feet.
Photo credits: ©Arthur Haines (Native Plant Trust), Donald Cameron, Carol Levine, Arieh Tal (https://botphoto.info)
Lower Olentangy Urban Arboretum 