American Basswood, American Linden, Whitewood, Beetree Linden

I had high hopes for basswoods as a bee tree. They're well known to beekeepers as a high-quantity nectar source. Sadly, the two I planted...Read More have been devoured by Japanese beetles. That was after having to build barriers around them to keep deer away. They're even reportedly edible for humans, so apparently there's nothing that doesn't eat them. That, and their preference for cooler climates, is probably why I don't see them in the forests of zone 7a Virginia - although they seem to fare better in the city. But even there, Little Leaf and European lindens are far more common because their size and form makes them better street trees.

Easily my favorite hardwood tree, it is perfect in almost every way. The trunk has a nice bark pattern, the canopy is shapely and uniform...Read More, and the smell of the flowers rivals that of Honeysuckle in terms of both strength and beauty. This tree is a fine addition to any landscape, provided it isn't near any structure, like any tree shouldn't be.

There are thousands of these in Edmonton, Ab. Fantastic shape and central leader. Becomes a very large, towering tree up to at least 80...Read More feet if not higher. Tree is hardy to at least zone 2a. I have seen it growing large in far north Alberta.

I had(recently removed, sadly)two of the American basswood trees in front of my home. The shade these trees provided was incredible. They...Read More were also fragrant, and extremely unique to my area Worcester MA. Downsides, in bloom they created sticky, sap like discharge as well as denying any other plants in my yard water. They would dry out consistently, and the branches were not resistant to heavy winds.