Basswood (Tilia spp.), also known as lime in England and Europe, consists of 30 to 35 species native to Eurasia [30] and North America [4]. All species look alike microscopically. A favorite wood for carvings, such as those by Grinling Gibbons (England, 1670-1710). The word tilia is the classical Latin name, probably from the Greek ptilon, wing, referring to the winglike bract of flower clusters.
Tilia americana* American basswood, American limetree, American linden, American whitewood, Amerikaanse linde, Amerikanische linde, Amerikansk lind, bass-tree, basswood, bee-tree, black limetree, gray linden, lein, limetree, linden, linn, linn-tree, spoonwood, svart-lind, tiglio americano, tiglo americano, tilleul americain, tilleul noir, tilo americano, white linn, whitewood, wickup, yellow basswood
Tilia caroliniana* Amerikaanse linde, Amerikansk lind, basswood, Carolina basswood, Carolina linde, Carolina linden, downy basswood, Florida basswood, Florida linden, linden, southern basswood, tiglio Americano, tilleul Americain, tilleul de Caroline, tilo Americano, tilo de Carolina
Tilia heterophylla* American lime, Amerikaanse linde, Amerikansk lind, basswood, bee-tree, beetree linden, Tiglio Americano, Tilleul Americain, Tilo Americano, Tuleul Americain, white basswood
* commercial species
Distribution: The natural range of American basswood is from southwestern New Brunswick to central Quebec, Ontario and southeast Manitoba, south to eastern North Dakota and northeastern Oklahoma to northern Arkansas and Tennessee, east to North Carolina, and north to Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
The Tree: American basswood grows to co-dominance in association with sugar maple and red oak/white ash forests, while it is a minor component in other forest types. It can grow to an elevation of 5,000 ft (1524 m) in the Appalachians. The tree can reach a height of 120 ft (37 m), with a diameter of almost 5 ft (1.5 m). Basswood may grow to be more than 140 years old. The trees have straight trunks, with most of the bole limb-free, and narrow, short crowns. The trees grow as a cluster of stems, developed from stump sprouts. The bark is initially dark green and shiny, developing to a grayish color with deep furrows.
General Wood Characteristics: The sapwood of basswood is white to cream, while the heartwood is pale to reddish brown, with darker streaks. When dry, the wood has no characteristic odor or taste. The wood is soft and light, with a fine, even texture.
Weighta
Weight
Moisture Specific lb/ft3 kg/m3
content gravity
Green 0.32 42 673
12% 0.37 26 417
Ovendry 0.40 NA NA
aReferences: specific gravity green and
12% (98); specific gravity, ovendry (59);
weight (59).
Mechanical propertiesa
Property Green Dry
MOE 1.04 106 7.171 GPa 1.46 106 10.067 GPa
lbf/in2 lbf/in2
MOR 5.00 103 34.475 MPa 8.70 103 59.987 MPa
lbf/in2 lbf/in2
C| | 2.22 103 15.307 MPa 4.73 103 32.613 MPa
lbf/in2 lbf/in2
C 0.17 103 1.172 MPa 0.37 103 2.551 MPa
lbf/in2 lbf/in2
WML 5.3 36.544 7.2 49.644
in-lbf/in3 kJ/m3 in-lbf/in3 kJ/m3
Hardness 250 lbf 1,112.00 N 410 lbf 1,823.68 N
Shear| | 0.60 103 4.137 MPa 0.99 103 6.826 MPa
lbf/in2 lbf/in2
aReference (98).
Drying and shrinkagea
Percentage of shrinkage
(green to final moisture
content)
Type of 0% MC 6% MC 20% MC
shrinkage
Tangential 9.3 7.4 3.1
Radial 6.6 5.3 2.2
Volumetric 15.8 12.6 5.3
aReferences: 0% MC, (98); 6% and 20%
MC, (90).
Kiln drying schedulea
4/4, 5/4, 8/4 10/4 12/4 16/4
Condition 6/4 stock stock stock stock
stock
Standard T12-E7 T10-E6 NA NA NA
Lighter T9-E7 T7-E6 NA NA NA
color
aReferences (6, 86).
Working Properties: American basswood works easily with tools, making it a premier carving wood. It is poor in holding nails and in bending, but moderate in gluing and good for holding paint or printing inks.
Durability: Rated as slightly or nonresistant to heartwood decay.
Preservation: No information available at this time.
Uses: Lumber, veneer, plywood, carvings, pulp, decoys, fiber products, furniture stock, caskets, mobile homes, shade rollers, signs, toys, sporting goods, wooden ware, and novelties.
Toxicity: No information available at this time.
Additional Reading: 29, 47, 55, 68, 74. 55, 66, 68, 74, 79. 28, 29, 42, 43, 44, 48, 50, 55, 56, 68, 72, 73, 74, 79, 92, 97, 102. 74, 75, 77, 99, 106. 101. 82, 104.