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 Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 - 8 |
| Plant Type: Trees |
| Light Exposure: Partial Shade to Full Sun (At Least 3 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
| Mature Height: 60 - 80 Feet |
| Mature Spread: 30 - 60 Feet |
| Spacing: 40 - 50 Feet |
| Habit: Upright |
| Flower Color(s): Yellow |
| Flower Description: |
| Bloom Period: Spring and Summer |
| Foliage Type: Deciduous |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Foliage Description: |
| Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering |
| Watering: Average |
| Resists: Deer, Rabbit, Disease, Pests & Insects |
| Tolerates: Heat, Drought |
| Attracts: Bees, Birds, Butterflies |
| Container Role: |
| Uses: Erosion Control, Wildlife Gardens |
| Features: Attracts Pollinators, Low Maintenance, Native to North America |
| Brand: |
| Common Name: American Basswood |
| Other Name(s): |
| Scientific Name: Tilia americana |
- SKU:
- 1231014831-pc
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
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2025 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
| Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
|---|---|
| Zone 10 | March 31th |
| Zone 9 | March 31st |
| Zone 8 | April 7th |
| Zone 7 | April 14th |
| Zone 6b | April 21st |
| Zone 6a | April 28th |
| Zone 5b | May 5th |
| Zone 5a | May 12th |
| Zone 4 | May 19th |
| Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
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: Idaho, 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.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!