MASSACHUSETTS FOREST TREES 



BASSWOOD OR LINDEN (Tilia americana L.) 



THE Linden is found in rich, moist soil in almost 

 every part of the State. In habit it is a large 

 tree, with an average height of fifty to sixty feet and 

 a diameter of two to three feet. The branches are 

 very numerous, comparatively small and slender and 

 often somewhat pendulous. The head may be broad 

 and round-topped or it may be conical. 



On young trees the bark is gray and 

 smooth, while on older trunks it is darker 

 and deeply and irregularly furrowed. The 

 twigs are yellowish-green or reddish-brown 



in color. 



The leaves are 

 simple, alternate, 

 very broadly egg- 

 shaped, from four 

 to five inches in 

 length and 

 toothed. 



The flowers are 

 greenish -yellow 

 and appear in late 

 June or early July. 

 The stalk which 

 bears the flowers 

 is attached to an 

 oblong, yellowish, 



BASSWOOD l eft f"like body. The flowers themselves are 

 winter twig pleasantly fragrant and rich in honey. 



The fruit is globular, about the size of 

 a pea, woody and gray in color. 



The wood is light, close-grained, soft 

 and more tough and pliable than almost any other 

 wood. It is employed for paper pulp, in carriage- 

 making, for furniture and for wooden utensils. 



The tree is a favorite with bee-keepers, for bees 

 collect from its flowers a large amount of honey of a 

 very desirable quality. 



BASSWOOD 



Leaf and fruit. One-third natural 



and buds. One- 

 half natural 

 size. 



60 



