Tilia americana

Tilia americana (American basswood) is native to the eastern United States and parts of Canada. There, the tree forms an important part of deciduous forests on moist soils and grows together with, among others, Acer saccharum, Fraxinus americana, and Quercus rubra. The American basswood is one of the largest linden species and grows to an impressive height of twenty to thirty meters and even forty in nature, and can become twelve to twenty meters wide. The crown is initially narrowly oval, but later in life becomes broadly round to ovoid, with loose, open branching.

The leaves of Tilia americana are very large, often fifteen to twenty centimeters long, heart-shaped with a pointed tip and bright dark green on the upper side, with a lighter and felt-haired underside. In autumn, the foliage turns yellow to golden yellow. Flowering occurs at the end of July, consisting of fragrant, yellowish-white flowers in cymes of five to fifteen. These flowers are particularly rich in nectar and attract bees and other pollinators in large numbers. After flowering, round, woody fruits of about one centimeter in size appear. The bark starts smooth and gray and develops coarser grooves and a darker color with age. The twigs are thick, olive green, and have striking buds.

Tilia americana is suitable for parks, avenues, estates, and large gardens, where there is room for its extensive crown. The tree does not demand much from the soil but grows best on nutritious, deeply rootable soils that are moist but well-drained, such as loam or light clay. Temporary drought is tolerated, but paving is not. Although the American basswood is susceptible to aphids that can cause honeydew, the species is valued for its high ecological value, rapid growth, and shade-providing properties. The tree is ideal for biodiverse plantings and contributes significantly to the microclimate and its attractiveness to insects and birds.