Tilia americana – Basswood

A topnotch shade tree for a large-scale landscape with big, heart-shaped leaves that turn yellow in fall. “The habit is sturdy and imposing – pyramidal in youth, oval-rounded with arched and spreading branches at maturity (Michael Dirr).” Although it occurs throughout New York’s mesic hardwood forests, Basswood is most abundant in deep rich mesic soils of valley bottoms and lower mountain slopes. It’s a favored tree of beekeepers, the early summer flowers are not showy but are fragrant and attract swarms of honeybees. The resulting honey is considered one of the finest honeys in the world.