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WHITE BASSWOOD. 

 Tilia heterophylla, Ventenat. 



FORM Usually 50-60 ft. high but may reach a height of 90 ft. with a diameter of 4J feet. 

 It becomes as thick but not so high as the Basswood. Trunk straight, clean, slightly tapering. 

 Crown dense, broad, rather rounded. 



BARK Similar to that of the Basswood, page 202. 

 TWIGS Similar to those of the Basswood, page 202. 

 BUDS Similar to those of the Basswood, page 202. 



LEAVES Alternate, simple, variable in outline, oblong-ovate to orbicular-ovate, 5-8 inches 

 long, firm in texture, short taper-pointed at apex, deeply toothed on margin with sharp 

 teeth, unequally heart-shapod to truncate at base; upper surface dark green and smooth, 

 lower surface silvery-white and finely hairy. Leaf-stalk slender, J length of blade. The side 

 of the leaf nearest the branch is the largest. 



LEAF- SCARS Similar to those of the Basswood, page 202. 



FLOWERS Appear about June or July. Perfect, regular, sweet, fragrant, yellowish-white, 

 5-15 in drooping cymose clusters. The long peduncle which bears the flowers is united for 

 about half its length with a conspicuous green bract. 



FRUIT A woody, spherical, nut-like drupe about the size^of a pea. Occurs singly or in small 

 clusters with a common stalk attached to a leafy bract and often persists far into winter. 



WOOD Similar to that of the Basswood, page 202, only about 2 pounds lighter. 



DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS The White Basswood, also known as White Linden, 

 has the general characteristics of the Basswood, page 202. It can be distinguished from 

 the latter by its leaves which are slightly larger, silvery-white and finely hairy on the lower 

 surface, while those of the Basswood are green and smooth. The Basswood also reaches a 

 somewhat larger size and has a wider distribution in this State than the White Basswood. 



RANGE New York to Florida, westward to Illinois, Tennessee, and Alabama. 



DISTRIBUTION IN PENNSYLVANIA Localljr in the northeastern, eastern, and southern 

 parts. Sparse in the mountainous parts. Not known to occur in the western part. 



HABITAT Usually found in rich woods in mountainous regions. Tolerates dense shade, 

 but thrives in full light. Occurs in mixture with other hardwoods. Common on limestone soil. 



IMPORTANCE OF THE SPECIES This tree is of little commercial importance in this State 

 on account of its limited distribution. Farther south it is more abundant, being the prevail- 

 ing Basswood of West Virginia. It is one of our most attractive ornamental trees. 



