Is linden and basswood the same?
Tilia is a genus within the Linden family (Tiliacea). The trees are sometimes called “lime” in Britain and “linden” in parts of Europe and North America. The most common name for the tree in North America is American basswood (Tilia americana), but there are several varieties with separate names.
How do I identify a linden tree?
Linden trees can be identified by their characteristic ridged light gray bark, huge heart-shaped, dark green leaves, and showy clusters of yellowish flowers. Linden trees also have an identifiable conical, oval crown with densely growing foliage.
Can you eat basswood leaves?
Besides the buds the young leaves are a prime “wild green” of the forest. Young shiny shoots are also tasty. Edible raw or cooked you can make a salad using the leaves as the main ingredient like lettuce. While the flowers are edible raw or cooked and a tea can be made from them.
What did Native Americans use basswood for?
Various sources state that it was used to make tangle free rope, twine and thread, thongs, baskets, tumplines or burden straps to carry heavy loads, belts, fishnets, webbing for snowshoes, storage bags, cooking bags, cord to sew cattail and other mats together or to tie up packets, finely woven mats to strain maple …
Is basswood a good firewood?
A nice, dry piece of basswood is great for starting a morning fire from a hot bed of coals. Since the wood is so light, it burns hot and quick. It also works good for stoking up a smoldering fire and as campfire wood.
Is basswood a good tree?
In addition to being a majestic tree in the landscape, basswood is a soft, light wood and prized for hand carvings and making baskets. The tree makes an excellent landscape plant with some tolerance to urban conditions depending on the cultivar. It is a perfect shade tree and can be used as a residential street tree.
Is basswood a hardwood?
A premier carving and turning hardwood, Basswood is a preferred species among high-end shutter manufacturers. Basswood is soft and light, valued for hand carving and has other uses including cooperage, boxes, veneer, excelsior, and pulp.
Is Basswood a good yard tree?
These hardy trees are rarely bothered by disease or insects. Basswoods are useful when planted as shelter-belts, or shade trees for large yards. Two varieties, Fastigiata and Redmond basswood trees, do not seem to cause much root damage, so they make excellent street trees.
Is Basswood a hardwood?
What do Ironwood leaves look like?
The Eastern Ironwood has simple, deciduous leaves that are elliptical with a heart-shaped taper at the tip, 5-12 cm long, and 2-5 cm wide. In the fall, the leaves change color to a dark yellow and often stay on the tree until winter.
What are basswood trees good for?
Basswood is a prized wood that is relatively soft, works exceptionally well when tooling and is valued for hand carving. The inner bark, or bast, can be used as a source of fiber for making rope or for weaving such items as baskets and mats. The soft, light wood has many uses as wood products.