Stately and imposing, Tilia americana (American Basswood) is a large deciduous tree adorned with an ovate-rounded crown boasting large ovate dark green leaves, up to 6 in. long (15 cm), turning, at best, yellow-green in the fall. In early summer, creamy-yellow, fragrant flowers appear in drooping cymes. Rich in nectar, they are highly attractive to bees and contribute to the production of a strongly flavored honey. The blossoms are followed by hard-shelled nutlets that ripen in late summer. The bark is smooth, shiny and gray to brown on young trees, becoming scaly, ridged and furrowed on mature trees. A beautiful shade and street tree.

• Grows up to 50-80 ft. tall (15-24 m) and 30-50 ft. wide (9-15 m).
• A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Prefers moist, fertile, well-drained loams but tolerates dry soils and clay soils.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for powdery mildew, leaf spots and cankers.
• Native to central and eastern North America.