OUR MISSION: ACER supports communities, government agencies and corporations in taking action to reduce biodiversity loss and strengthen climate resilience by increasing and monitoring urban and riparian zone forest canopy.

Trees: Basswood

Latin Name: Tilia americana L.

Other Common Names: American Linden, Bee Tree, Lime Tree and White Wood.

Leaves: Leaf is large, 5 inches or more long and nearly as wide, usually heart-shaped with one side rounder than the other at the base; has a tip at the end. The edges are serrate.

Basswood leaves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Twigs: Reddish, covered with a grayish skin, inner bark is very tough.

basswood stem

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fruit: Fruit is found in clusters. The individual fruit is small, dry, woody pea-like and coated in tawny hairs and usually containing one seed. The fruits persist into the winter.

Flowers: The flowers are creamy-yellow, fragrant and arranged in a radiate cluster on a long common stalk.

Sources used: The Forest Trees of Ontario by J. H. White revised by R. C. Hosie (1980).