8 BULLETIN 1007, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



THE FUTURE OF BASSWOOD TIMBER. 



The future of basswood depends upon provision made for new 

 growth. Basswood is a very desirable tree to grow especially for 

 the small timber owner who has a tract of woodland which he wishes 

 to keep permanently forested. It is easily propagated, increases 

 in size rapidly in comparison with other species, and is marketable 

 in various forms. Rapid-growth timber yields the largest amount 

 of the white sap wood, which is highly valued. 



The tree grows well on deep, fresh or sandy loams, and has been 

 known to grow rapidly and thriftily on very porous upland soils. 

 It is generally a hardy tree, although on heavy upland soils it not 

 only grows slowly but is likely to suffer injury during dry periods. 

 The most favorable region for its growth is the northeastern part 

 of the United States. In the virgin forest, basswood often reaches 

 a height of 90 to 100 feet and a trunk diameter of 3 or 4 feet. When 

 crowded by other trees it forms a straight stem, with but few 

 branches, which are near the top (PI. II) ; but when grown in the 

 open the stem is short and there are many large branches. 



Basswood is one of the most prolific of our native trees in its sprout- 

 ing capacity. The sprouts arise from the stump and afford a prac- 

 tical means of renewing basswood as a timber crop (PI. III). To 

 obtain vigorous sprouts the trees should be felled between November 

 and March. The stumps should be cut low, so that the sprouts will 

 start close to the ground, where they can soon develop a root system 

 of their own and become self-supporting; otherwise, decay from the 

 stump of the old tree is likely to enter them. Sprouts generally 

 grow more rapidly than seedlings. For the production of small- 

 diameter material, such as excelsior and pulpwood bolts, propagation 

 by sprouting affords an excellent method of obtaining a timber crop 

 in a comparatively short time. 



The tree generally does not suffer severe injury from insect attack. 

 Cattle like to browse upon the young twigs and leaves, however, 

 and should be excluded from the young growth. 



UTILIZATION BY INDUSTRIES. 2 



Wood-using industries generally belong in one of two classes, based 

 on the form of raw material used: (1) Those which depend entirely 

 upon the log or bolt, and (2) those which use mainly lumber or dimen- 

 sion stock for further manufacture into various products. The 

 former class is termed primary and the latter secondary. 



2 Because of the low fuel value of the wood, basswood stands are of relatively inferior value as a source 

 of firewood. As a shade tree and for ornamental planting, basswood is wellliked because of its large crown 

 and dense foliage. The tree is also valued very highly by beekeepers for the flowers, which are borne 

 in great profusion . Honey made from basswood flowers is light-colored and of excellent quality; it gener- 

 ally goes under the name of poplar honey and brings a comparatively high price in the market. 



