BASSWOOD: Tilia 



WHILE botanists find six species of Basswood in the 

 United States, only three of chem have any economic value 

 as timber trees. They are Basswood (Tilia americana), 

 the largest and best of the three, White Basswood ( Tilia 

 heterophylld), and Downy Basswood (Tilia pubescens^). 

 The wood of these is nearly alike in commercial import- 

 ance and the difference in the trees is mainly in the size, 

 and as they grow in substantially the same sections of the 

 country, it is not thought necessary to make any distinc- 

 tion in considering them. The term Basswood will include 

 all three. In some markets, however, there is a distinction 

 made in the lumber trade. White Basswood is classed sep- 

 arately, but the distinction is not general. In some locali- 

 ties all Basswood is called Linden. That is the name it 

 bears in Europe. 



The natural range is very great. With the exception of 

 Florida, it may be found, more or less, in every state east 

 of the Mississippi River, and also in the eastern portion of 

 the states lying next to that river on the west. Its best de- 

 velopment is along the bottom lands and in the rich soils 

 bordering on the Ohio River and its tributaries, although 

 fine specimens once grew on the upper tributaries of the 

 Susquehanna River. Doubtless it was produced in greatest 

 abundance and of the best quality in the valley of the Ohio. 

 It seldom grew in pure stands, and when so found was lim- 

 ited to small areas. Its most acceptable neighbors are Ash, 

 Hickory, Elm, Cherry, Yellow Poplar, Beech, and occa- 

 sionally Oak and Black Walnut, all luxuriating in a rich, 

 moist soil. It will grow indifferently well in a dry, poor 

 soil, yet it would not be a profitable tree to plant in such 

 soil, as it is not a rapid grower after thirty or thirty-five 

 years of age. Nor should it be planted in situations exposed 



