American Basswood

Scientific Nomenclature: Tilia Americana

Common Names: American basswood, American linden, bee tree

Mature Height: 50–80 feet

Mature Spread: 30–50 feet

Growth Rate: Medium

Attracts Wildlife: Pollinators, birds and small mammals

Messiness: Small fruits mature in summer and are wind dispersed. Flowers bloom in the spring and are very large and showy. Flowers attract lots of bees and drop in summer. You may hear the tree buzzing from several feet away from the number of bees pollinating its flowers. Leaves drop in autumn.

Shape: Oval/Pyramidal

Native to Kentucky: Yes

Preferred Soils: American basswood prefer moist, well-drained, neutral (6.0–8.0pH) loam soils though it is tolerant of acidic (<6.0pH) or alkaline (>8.0pH) soils as well as clays and sandy soils.

Screening: With its straight trunk and dense crown this tree can be used as a screening tree, especially when planted in a row. If preferred, it can also be pruned to form a high interest flowering hedge.

Drought Tolerance: Is relatively drought tolerant once well established

Coniferous or Deciduous: Deciduous

Pruning: Can be pruned into a beautiful flowering hedge and will need regular maintenance to keep its shape. If left as an upright tree it only needs pruning when deadwood or damaged branches need to be removed.

Following being planted as a sapling, over the next 20 years one American basswood will:

• Sequester ~533.5 pounds of CO2.
• Reduce stormwater runoff by 251.5 gallons.