Description

• Basswoods grow from about 60 to 125 feet high and have a lifespan that can exceed 200 years. The leaves, about 5 to 6 inches long, have serrated edges and a dark green color on top, with a paler green on the bottom. The yellow flowers appear in late spring or early summer and stay in bloom for about 2 weeks. The fruit, a 1/4-inch nutlet, typically contains one seed. More rarely, the nut might hold two or three seeds. The bark begins as gray-green, then matures into gray-brown. It also acquires ridges and furrows with age.
  
  

Wildlife

• Wildlife find many uses for the basswood tree. A wide variety of animals, including squirrels, mice, birds and foxes eat the seeds and twigs. Deer feed on various parts of the tree as well. Older basswoods in various stages of decay often provide shelter for certain forest animals, such as raccoons, who use the hollow spaces of the declining trees as dens.
  
  

Wood

• The wood from the tree, a softwood that craftsman can work rather easily, makes an excellent material for musical instruments or hunting decoys. Mats, cabinets, shoes and wooden dishes also come from the light, soft-grained wood. Veneer from basswood makes a good material for baskets and plywood. In the past, the wood was also used to build food-making products, such as a butter churn. Other uses for basswood lumber include furniture, caskets and toys.
  
  

Conditions

• Basswoods prefer a moist, nutrient-rich soil. They do poorly in soil that does not have a good supply of nitrogen. Although the tree tolerates a range of soil pH from 4.5 to 7.5, it flourishes in soil with a pH of around 7.0. Basswood has some shade tolerance, although established trees need sunny conditions to reach their full potential. In the wild, basswood is often found alongside river and lakes, due to its preference for moist conditions.