Linden, American, Bare Root

American Linden (Basswood) (Tilia americana)

A large shade tree whose fragrant early-summer flowers draw bees into the canopy. It is also called basswood; both names refer to Tilia americana.

Key Characteristics

A flowering canopy for bees

Clusters of fragrant flowers provide nectar when the tree is mature enough to bloom. Place it where the summer flowering canopy can be enjoyed without crowding structures.

Leaves host swallowtails

Eastern tiger swallowtail caterpillars use basswood foliage. Seeds also feed birds and squirrels later in the season.

Think in decades and crown width

Use it in a large yard, grove, or restoration planting. Keep the root zone mulched and avoid hard surfacing over its future growing space.

Product Details

• Native range: Central and eastern North America
• Life cycle: Deciduous woody perennial tree
• Sun: Full Sun; Part Sun/Shade
• Soil moisture: Medium-Dry; Medium
• Mature height: 60–80 feet; varies with seedling and site
• Bloom time: June–July
• Bloom color: Yellow, Cream
• USDA hardiness zones: 3–8
• Fruit or seed: Small nutlets attached to papery bracts; food for birds and squirrels.
• Pollination: Insect-visited flowers; multiple seedlings add diversity to a grove.

Planting and Ongoing Care

Keep bare roots moist until planting and spread roots without bending them into a tight hole. Water during establishment, mulch clear of the trunk, and protect young trees from browsing and mowing damage. Base feeding on a soil test; our Tree Planting Kit fertilizer blend can be used according to its label when needed.

Watch for aphids and Japanese beetles without treating automatically. Avoid insecticides while flowers are open. Avoid insecticides on open flowers. These are seedlings rather than selected clones, so growth, flowering, and fruiting vary.