CHAPTER EIGHT 



THE BASSWOOD OR LINDEN TREE 



U. S. Forest Service 

 FIG. 35. Leaves and flowers of the linden. 



THE basswood is a good tree to know and cultivate. 

 It is also called lime, bee tree, whitewood, and linden. 

 Both the European and American lindens are good 

 shade and ornamental trees, but they need deep, rich 

 soil and may require spraying to prevent injury by 

 insect enemies. The leaves are large, heart-shaped, 

 and not quite symmetrical, for one side of the base is 

 longer than the other. In June and July the trees are 

 full of fragrant, cream-colored blossoms, hanging in 

 clusters from membranous bracts which are like nar- 

 row leaves (Fig. 35). Probably you have eaten honey 

 made from the nectar in these blossoms, for they are 

 one of the main sources of good honey. 



Does the linden furnish the bees with nectar to help 

 them or to serve some purpose of its own? Why are 



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