American basswood
Tilia americana
In July the whole tree hums with bees; young leaves are edible.
Hardiness: zones 3 to 8
Light: full sun to part shade
Size: about 70 ft tall, 40 ft wide
From: E. North America
Here: Hardy in the Lake Erie shore climate (zone 6b to 7a), so it can live outdoors in the ground.
Good for: pollinators, wildlife, butterfly and moth caterpillars.
Native to: Northeast, Midwest & Great Lakes, Southeast, Great Plains & Texas, Eastern Canada. Hardy in zones 3 to 8.
The story
Basswood is the American linden, and its name comes from bast: the stringy inner bark that many Native nations twisted into rope, nets and mats. The soft, even wood is still the carver's first choice.
Planting
Sun or part shade and deep, moist soil. It makes a large shade tree.
Growing
Water young trees. It sprouts from the base; keep the sprouts or cut them.
Harvest and use
For two weeks in early summer the flowers make the whole tree hum, and they give one of the finest honeys. Young leaves are a mild salad green, and the dried blossoms are a traditional tea.
What to watch for
Japanese beetles chew the leaves. The tree shrugs it off.
See if American basswood fits your yard
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More native and wild plants
General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home