subject: What Is A Basswood [print this page] The basswood is a large tree found in almost all parts of North America and Europe. It is as well known by another name, linden, and is also sometimes called limetree and white-wood. The tree grows to be 75 to 100 feet tall, and is "deciduous," which means that it loses all its leaves in the fall. The flowers are small and so fragrant that they have been used in making tea and perfumes. Bees use the nectar to make a highly-valued honey. The seeds of the basswood hang in clusters from the center of special leaves, quite different in shape from the other leaves of the tree. The wood of this tree is used for many purposes. It has strength, but is light and easy to cut and shape. Venetian blinds, chopping bowls and salad bowls, furniture, beehives, and many other light wood products are made from basswood. Because the wood has no odor, it can be used to make many different containers for food. The tough inner bark of the tree is used in making mats and rope. There is a famous street in the city of Berlin in Germany called Unter den Linden because it is shaded by linden trees.American basswood is a large and rapid-growing tree of eastern and central North America. The tree frequently has two or more trunks and vigorously sprouts from stumps as well as seed. American basswood is an important timber tree, especially in the Great Lakes States. It is the northernmost basswood species.
