Description of Plant

Leaf: 7.5 - 15 cm in length, broadly ovate or rounded, coarsely saw toothed, and palmately veined. Dark green above and light green underneath. Leaves turn pale yellow or brown in autumn.

Flower: 12-15 mm in width and blooms in early summer. The flowers have five yellowish-white petals and are quite fragrant. The flowers are found in long stalked clusters hanging from the center or a leafy green bract.

Fruit: 10 mm in diameter and nut-like. The fruit can be rounded or elliptical, gray and covered with fine hairs. The seeds mature in the late summer or autumn and may last into winter.

Bark: Dark gray and furrowed into narrow scaly ridges.

Twig: Slender, hairless and may be reddish or green.

Form: Large tree with a dense crown of leaves. It frequently has 2 or more trunks.

Discussion of Plant

American Basswood is the northernmost basswood species. It is also known as the American Linden. The tree can grow from 60 -100 feet in height. It is widely used as a shade or street tree. The soft wood is used for boxes, yardsticks, and furniture making. Native Americans used the inner bark to make ropes and mats.

Copyright

© Sue Grabowski, Gail Slowinski, Carl Schurz High School 2003

References

Coombes, Allen, J, Smithsonian Handbook of Trees, Dorling Kindersley, London, 2002.

Little, Elbert, L., Field Guide to Trees, Alfred A. Knopf, New York. 1980.

Symonds, George, W.D., The Tree Identification Book, Quill Publishing, New York, N.Y. 1958.