Basswood

Leaves

Form

• Thick, tip elongated
• Tufts of hair in the vein axils

Length

• 12–15 mm

Colour

• Upper surface dull green
• Lower surface lighter green

Margin

• Teeth sharp, gland-tipped

Buds

Form

• Hairless
• Leaf scars semi-oval with 5–10 vein scars

Length

• 5–7 mm

Colour

• Often reddish

Twigs

Form

• Hairless

Colour

• Yellowish-brown

Flowers

Form

• Fragrant

Width

• 11–13 mm

Colour

• Creamy yellow

Structure

• Synoecious

Floral timing

• July, after the leaves are fully grown

Fruits

Form

• Coated with hairs

Width

• 8–12 mm

Colour

• Hairs brownish

Timing

• Abundant seed crops every year

Bark

Form

• Thin, smooth when young
• Develops long, narrow, flat-topped ridges transversely divided into short blocks

Colour

• Light greenish-brown when young, becoming dark greyish-brown

Wood

Uses

• Handcarving and turnery; interior trim, veneer, plywood, and furniture parts

Size

Height

• To 35 m

Diameter

• To 100 cm

Maximum age

• 200 years

Tree form

Forest-grown

Trunk

• Straight, distinct well into the crown

Crown

• Symmetrical, smooth, rounded
• Branches spreading out and ascending at the tips

Habitat

Site

• Moist slopes that face north and east

Light tolerance

• Very shade-tolerant

Associated species

• In mixed stands with other broadleaf trees such as sugar maple, American beech, white ash, and red oak