Basswood (Tilia spp.), also known as lime in England and Europe, consists of 30 to 35 spe­cies native to Eurasia [30] and North America [4]. All species look alike microscopically. A favorite wood for carvings, such as those by Grinling Gibbons (England, 1670-1710). The word tilia is the classical Latin name, probably from the Greek ptilon, wing, referring to the winglike bract of flower clusters.

Tilia americana* American basswood, American limetree, American linden, American whitewood, Amerikaanse linde, Amerikanische linde, Amerikansk lind, bass-tree, basswood, bee-tree, black limetree, gray linden, lein, limetree, linden, linn, linn-tree, spoonwood, svart-lind, tiglio ameri­cano, tiglo americano, tilleul americain, tilleul noir, tilo americano, white linn, whitewood, wickup, yellow basswood

Tilia caroliniana* Amerikaanse linde, Amerikansk lind, basswood, Carolina basswood, Carolina linde, Carolina linden, downy basswood, Florida basswood, Florida linden, linden, southern basswood, tiglio Ameri­cano, tilleul Americain, tilleul de Caroline, tilo Americano, tilo de Carolina

Tilia heterophylla* American lime, Amerikaanse linde, Amerikansk lind, basswood, bee- tree, beetree linden, Tiglio Americano, Tilleul Americain, Tilo Americano, Tuleul Americain, white basswood

* commercial species

Distribution: The natural range of American basswood is from southwestern New Bruns­wick to central Quebec, Ontario and southeast Manitoba, south to eastern North Dakota and northeastern Oklahoma to northern Arkansas and Tennessee, east to North Carolina, and north to Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

The Tree: American basswood grows to co-dominance in association with sugar maple and red oak/white ash forests, while it is a minor component in other forest types. It can grow to an elevation of 5,000 ft (1524 m) in the Appalachians. The tree can reach a height of 120 ft (37 m), with a diameter of almost 5 ft (1.5 m). Basswood may grow to be more than 140

years old. The trees have straight trunks, with most of the bole limb-free, and narrow, short crowns. The trees grow as a cluster of stems, developed from stump sprouts. The bark is initially dark green and shiny, developing to a grayish color with deep furrows.

General Wood Characteristics: The sapwood of basswood is white to cream, while the heartwood is pale to reddish brown, with darker streaks. When dry, the wood has no charac­teristic odor or taste. The wood is soft and light, with a fine, even texture.

aReferences: specific gravity green and 12% (98); specific gravity, ovendry (59); weight (59).

 

Mechanical propertiesa

 

aReference (98).

Drying and shrinkagea

Percentage of shrinkage (green to final moisture content)

Type of shrinkage        0% MC        6% MC 20% MC

Tangential        9.3        7.4        3.1

Radial        6.6        5.3        2.2

Volumetric        15.8        12.6        5.3

aReferences: 0% MC, (98); 6% and 20% MC, (90).

Kiln drying schedulea

4/4, 5/4,        8/4        10/4        12/4        16/4

Condition        6/4        stock        stock        stock stock
stock

Standard        T12-E7        T10-E6 NA        NA        NA

Lighter color T9-E7        T7-E6        NA        NA        NA

aReferences (6, 86).

Working Properties: American basswood works easily with tools, making it a premier carving wood. It is poor in holding nails and in bending, but moderate in gluing and good for holding paint or printing inks.

Durability: Rated as slightly or nonresistant to heartwood decay. Preservation: No information available at this time.

Uses: Lumber, veneer, plywood, carvings, pulp, decoys, fiber products, furniture stock, caskets, mobile homes, shade rollers, signs, toys, sporting goods, wooden ware, and novel­ties.

Toxicity: No information available at this time. Additional Reading: 29, 47, 55, 68, 74.

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