American Basswood

This tree is a grafted clone of the original Basswood which has been growing in Brookings Quad for more than 100 years.

The American Basswood can grow up to 90 feet tall, and it is sometimes referred to as the bee tree due to its plentiful bee population when flowering. Due to its larger leaves and attractive bark, this tree is generally used for ornamental purposes; however, because of its softer, thinner bark, its wood is also commonly used for carvings, furniture and musical instruments. Unfortunately, this also means that the wood is more sensitive to fire damage, as well as more susceptible to rotting.

Common Name(s)	American Basswood, American Linden
Latin Name	Tilia americana
Indigenous Name(s)
Cultivar/Variety	‘Brookings’
Commercial Name

More about Tree #153:

Where to find Arbor Walk #153

Data on the space around this tree

Data on this tree over time

More about American Basswood in general:

How to identify American Basswood

Relationship of  Tilia americana to other species in the Arboretum

Global Distribution of American Basswood

Additional Resources on the American Basswood