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Overview
Tilia americana is basswood (American linden), a large upright deciduous tree growing 50-80 feet (15-24 m) tall and 35-50 feet (10.5-15 m) wide with a broad rounded crown. Pale yellow tiny fragrant flowers in pendant cymes of 5-20 attached to a strap-shaped bract 3-5 inches (7-13 cm) in June-July. Strongly fragrant (sweet heavy honey-like scent) — a valued honeybee nectar source. Dark green simple heart-shaped alternate coarsely serrated leaves 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) — larger than T. cordata (little-leaf linden, 2-3 inches / 5-7 cm). Turns yellow in fall. In Malvaceae. Native to eastern North America. Japanese beetles skeletonize the large leaves in summer — this defoliation by Japanese beetles is the primary pest concern. Aphids feed on the foliage and excrete sticky honeydew that coats surfaces beneath the canopy — cars, walkways, and understory plants become coated. Not drought-tolerant — leaf scorch in dry conditions. Sprouts vigorously from the base, forming multi-stemmed clumps if basal suckers are not removed. The soft wood is brittle in ice storms. Deer browse. Non-toxic. Zones 2-8. Full sun to partial shade. Growth rate is moderate to fast.
Native Range
Native to eastern North America — from Manitoba to Florida. Found in rich mesic forests, bottomlands, and moist slopes.Suggested Uses
Grown as a shade tree in large landscapes spaced 35-50 feet (10.5-15 m). Valued honeybee tree. Avoid planting over parking areas (aphid honeydew). Japanese beetle damage in zones 5-7. Native to eastern North America. Non-toxic. Zones 2-8.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height50' - 80'
Width/Spread35' - 50'
Reaches mature size in approximately 25 years
Bloom Information
Early to midsummer (June-July). Pale yellow tiny flowers in pendant cymes of 5-20 attached to a strap-shaped bract 3-5 inches (7-13 cm). Strongly fragrant (honey-like). 3 weeks. Valued honeybee nectar source. Small nutlets with wing-like bract follow.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Pale yellow, tiny, fragrant, in pendant cymes of 5-20 flowers attached to a 3-5 inch (7-13 cm) strap-shaped bract (the bract acts as a wing for seed dispersal); strongly fragrant (sweet, heavy, honey-like scent)Foliage Description
Dark green, simple, heart-shaped (cordate), alternate, 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) — larger than T. cordata (2-3 inches / 5-7 cm); coarsely serrated; turns yellow in fall — fall color unremarkableGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Full sun to partial shade (4-12 hours). Well-drained soil pH 5.5-7.5. Not drought-tolerant — leaf scorch in dry conditions. Japanese beetles skeletonize leaves. Aphid honeydew coats surfaces below the canopy. Basal suckers form multi-stemmed clumps — remove. Brittle wood in ice storms. Prune in winter (January-February). Deer browse. Non-toxic. Zones 2-8.Pruning
Prune in winter (January-February). Develop a single central leader when young. Remove basal suckers to maintain single-trunked form. Remove dead, crossing, or weak-angled branches. The broad rounded crown is natural at maturity.Pruning Schedule
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