Basswood
Tiia Americana
$16.95
Out of stock
All orders placed will ship during our Spring 2022 season.
USDA Zone Shipment timing:
Plant Zones 9-8: Late January-February
Plant Zones 8-7: February-March
Plant Zones 6-5: April-early May
For more information see the Ordering & Shipping section below.
American Basswood is native to north America and is planted as a shade tree or ornamental. Basswood is a prolific nectar producer and pollination by honeybees results in a choice grade of honey. It provides good browse and buds are important for birds and deer in winter. Fruits are eaten by birds and small mammals. Aged wood is preferred by cavity-nesting animals such as wood ducks, pileated woodpeckers, other birds, and small mammals. Native Americans and settlers used the fibrous inner bark as a resource for fiber for rope, mats, fish nets, and baskets. Basswood is still valued today for its soft, light, easily worked wood, especially for turned items and hand carving. Fresh basswood sap has been used as a watery drink or boiled into syrup. Freshly cut bark has also been used as an emergency bandage for wounds.
Height | 40' - 50' |
Spread | 35' - 40' |
Tree Form | Modified Leader |
USDA Zone | 3 - 8B |
Blooms | May - July |
Drops Fruit or Nuts | Select |
Soil | Basswood is said to be a soil enriching species, bringing calcium and magnesium up from deep in the soil profile and depositing it in leaf litter on the surface. Basswood thrives in rich, mesic sites (coves, lower slopes, & river bottoms), usually on deep, well-drained soils. |
Soil pH | 6.0 - 7.0 |
Light requirements | Full Sun to Partial Shade |
Spacing | 30 - 40' |
Pruning | Light annual pruning as needed. |
Fertilization | Do not fertilize at planting. Once the trees are established, fertilize in early spring (Mar-April) as growth begins. Do not fertilize in the fall, which could promote late season tender growth that can be damaged by early frosts. |
Watering | Newly planted trees should be watered regularly. This is the most critical step in the establishment of your new trees. Please see the Watering section under "How to plant and grow" in our Learning Center. |
At Chestnut Hill Outdoors, we’ve been shipping mail order trees for over 30 years. We’re experts at delivering healthy trees to your doorstep. All of our trees are container grown in root-enhancing pots, ensuring healthy root systems and much better success upon planting.
Spring: All trees are shipped bare-root.
Fall: All trees are shipped in containers.
Size shipped: 8 – 24 inches
For more information, visit our Ordering & Shipping Page.