Basswood (Tilia americana) Common Names: American basswood, American lime, American linden, Basswood, Mechanical Values Beetree, Beetree linden, Carolina Category Green Dry Units linden, Florida basswood, Florida Weight 45 28 lbs/cu.ft. linden, Limetree, Linden, Linn, White basswood Density (air-dry) 26 lbs/cu.ft. Specific Gravity 0.33 0.4 Hardness 410 lbs Stiffness 1017 1507 1000 psi Bending Strength 5100 8700 psi Shearing Strength 990 psi Max. Crushing Strength 2420 4340 psi Work to Maximum Load 6 8 in-lbs/in3 Radial Shrinkage (G->OD) 7 % Tangential Shrink. (G->OD) 9 % Volumetric Shrink (G->OD) 17 % Profile American basswood is reported to be demonstrably widespread, abundant, and secure globally, although it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery (Source - The Nature Conservancy - Rank of relative endangerment based primarily on the number of occurrences of the species globally). Distribution This North American species is reported to be distributed in Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan in Canada. Its growth range in the United States is reported to include Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Iowa, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. The tree is reported to prefer moist soils of valleys and uplands and is usually found growing in hardwood forests. Product Sources Some material from this species is reported to be available from sustainably managed or other environmentally responsible sources. Supplies of American basswood are reported to be abundant in Eastern United States at a relatively low price. The following species in the database has been suggested as a potential substitute for Basswood: Obeche (Triplochiton scleroxylon ), Pipli (Bucklandia populnea ) for staining. Properties of the following species in the database are reported to be comparable to those of Basswood: Amapola (Pseudobombax elipticum ). Tree Data The large tree, usually with a long trunk, is reported to mature to a height of about 60 to 100 feet (18 to 30 m), with a trunk diameter of about 24 to 36 inches (60 to 90 cm). Sapwood Color The sapwood is described as creamy white or pale brown in color and merges somewhat gradually into the heartwood. The sapwood is reported to be sometimes marketed as 'white basswood'. Heartwood Color The heartwood ranges in color from creamy-white to pale pinkish-brown. The wood is reported to be similar to European lime (Tilia vulgaris ) in appearance, grain and texture. Grain The grain is typically straight, and fine. Texture Texture is typically fine and uniform. Odor Freshly-milled wood is reported to have a faint distinct odor, especially when wet. There is no characteristic taste. Ease of Drying The wood is reported to dry easily with little degrade. Drying Defects Brownish chemical stains may occur in the sapwood of trees from certain areas. The defect may also occur if the wood is dried too slowly. Checking and warping are reported to be slight. Movement in Service Seasoned wood is reported to be dimensionally stable, and holds its place well in use. Natural Durability The wood is reported to have little natural resistance to attack by fungi and other wood destroying organisms. Logs are susceptible to attack by the longhorn beetle while the sapwood is prone to attack by the common furniture beetle. Resistance to Impregnation The wood is reported to be responsive to treatment, but its normal uses usually does not require it to be treated. Blunting Blunting effect on cutting tools is rated as slight. Resistance to Cutting The wood is reported to cut and saw without difficulty. Planning Planing operations are reported to be rather easy, but the wood is soft and requires sharp tools for best results. Turning The material turns fairly easily, and turned surfaces are generally clean. Boring The material responds readily to very sharp machine tools to yield clean surfaces in boring operations. Mortising Mortising operations are reported to be relatively easy, but it requires some care for good results. Moulding The wood is reported to require care in moulding operations. Carving Basswood is reported to be a popular choice among hobbyist for modelling ships, airplanes, and wood sculpturing. Gluing The wood has good gluing properties. Nailing Basswood nails easily but nail-holding qualities are rated as only fair since the wood is soft. Screwing The wood is reported to have satisfactory screw-holding characteristics. Sanding Sanding properties are reported to be fair. Polishing Polishing properties are reported to be generally good. Staining Staining is reported to be less than satisfactory because of the soft texture of the wood. Painting Basswood is reported to respond well to enamel. Steam Bending The material has very poor steam bending properties. Response to Hand Tools Response to hand tools is reported to be very good. Strength Properties Bending strength in the air-dried condition (about 12% moisture content) is medium, but lower than Mahogany, and much lower than White oak. It is weak in compression parallel to grain (maximum crushing strength). It is not hard and can be dented and marred easily. Weight and density are moderate. .