Species white basswood
green leaves with lime stems and olive trunk

white basswood

Tilia americana var. heterophylla

White basswood (Tilia americana var. heterophylla) is a large deciduous tree with a rounded crown and a straight trunk. Its bark is smooth and grey, making it a popular choice for forests, parks, and landscapes. Large, heart-shaped leaves emerge in spring, turning golden yellow in fall. The flowers are small, white, and fragrant, blooming in early summer. Its small, nut-like fruits ripen in mid-to-late summer and can be used to make jellies, jams, and pies. White basswood is a popular tree among bird-lovers, as its seeds and fruits provide a delicious meal for a variety of species.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Grafting Propagation,Layering Propagation,Air Layering Propagation,Division

Hardiness Zone:

2 - 8

Flowers:

Pale yellow Flowers

Sun:

Full sun Partial sun

Soil:

Loamy

Fruits:

green,brown,white Fruits Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Care Level:

Moderate

watering

White Basswood is a beautiful and medium sized tree, with its deep green leaves and white flowers that adorns many landscapes. It can be found in part shade to full sun and prefers moist, well-drained soil. White Basswood should be watered regularly, but not too often. During the growing season, it should be watered every 7-10 days, providing 1-2 inches of water. During the winter months, it should be watered about every 2-3 weeks, providing 1/2-1 inch of water. During periods of extreme drought, White Basswood should be watered weekly, providing 1-2 inches.

sunlight

White basswood (Tilia americana var. heterophylla) is an understory tree, meaning it grows best in partial shade and will not tolerate full sun. For optimal growth, white basswood should get light direct sunlight in the early morning hours, for no more than 3 to 4 hours total during the day. Direct sunlight should be avoided during the hottest parts of the day (i.e. noon to 4 p.m.). If possible, the tree should be planted in an area that gets dappled shade throughout the day.

pruning

White basswood should be pruned in late winter or early spring, prior to the appearance of new growth. It is best to remove any broken, dead, or diseased branches first, then remove any crossing or crowded branches. To maintain a more open, natural structure, remove some basal shoots and thin the canopy. Aim to reduce the length by no more than 1-third. Significant pruning should be limited to every 3-5 years.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

White basswood typically starts flowering in late May or early June.

Starts Flowering

White basswood typically starts flowering in late May or early June.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Tilia americana var. heterophylla (white basswood) typically begins in late July and continues through August.

Hardiness Map