Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
For a showy deciduous tree, the American Basswood is a high contender. Also known as Tilia americana, it produces attractive heart-shaped leaves and fragrant yellow flowers. Fast growing, this tree can grow to a final size of 60 to 80 feet tall. This makes an attractive tree for shade and street planting.
As a deciduous tree, the foliage of the American Basswood briefly turns yellow before falling. It develops a large branching structure that is perfect for providing shade. Furthermore, pollinators love the scented flowers that open in early summer. Native to Central and Northeastern North America, the American Basswood is suitable for growing in zones 3 to 8.
American Basswood Plant Care
As a medium-sized tree, care must be taken when planting the American Basswood to make sure no overhead lines or structural overhangs will be affected as it matures. Regular watering is required on planting and for the first two seasons at least to help it become established. It prefers a neutral to slightly acidic soil, and will struggle if grown in a highly alkaline soil. To help lock in moisture and suppress weeds you can mulch around the base of the tree.
You can prune the American Basswood when it is young to help form a pleasing branch network. When mature, any pruning is best performed in late winter as the tree breaks dormancy. If any suckers appear at the base of the tree, you can cut them away with a clean and sharp pair of pruners.
American Basswood Plant Spacing
As a large and fast-growing tree, the American Basswood requires plenty of space to mature. You will want to plant this tree around 40 to 50 feet away from other specimens. Shade-loving perennials can make great underplanting companions.
American Basswood Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 3 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Shade to Full Sun (3+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 60-80 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 30-60 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Consistently Moist
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Yellow
- Flower Description
- Yellow
- Bloom Time
- Late Spring to Early Summer
- Blooms On
-
New Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Late winter to early spring, before new growth starts
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- American Basswood
- Also Known As
- American Basswood
- Botanical Name
- Tilia americana
- Plant Type
- Tree
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
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