American Linden Tree

About the American Linden “Basswood’ Tree

A fast-growing shade tree with fragrant flowers!

American Linden, also known as ‘Basswood’ (Tilia americana) is a medium-to-large-sized tree native to Eastern North America. It was cultivated in North America as early as 1752. Linden is desirable as a landscape tree for its large stature, shade and aromatic flowers.

This native has a long life expectancy of around 100-200 years, with flowering occurring after about 15 years. Once your tree is established, expect fragrant blooms every summer.

The tree’s flowers are attractive to bees and linden is an important source of excellent honey. Hollow linden trees found in the woods are often filled with honey. The attractive white wood of linden is often used for beehive honey frames, furniture, and crates. The fragrant flowers are also distilled for use in perfumes.

This native tree serves as a good street or landscape tree. It is conical in form with broad oval leaves that turn yellow in the fall. American Linden prefers fertile moist well-drained loams. It is a cold-hardy tree that grows as far north as Canada.