Tilia americana
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Basswood, American Linden, Bee Tree
Malvaceae
Also known as Tilia caroliniana, Tilia heterophylla
Plant Specifics
Form: | Tree | |
Size: | 60-80 ft tall by 40-60 ft wide | |
Life Span: | Long-lived perennial | |
Flower Color: | White,yellow,green | |
Fruit Color: | Brown | |
Phenology: | Deciduous. Blooms in spring. Fruit ripens in fall. | |
Noted for: | Fall color, Interesting foliage |
Landscaping
Recommended Uses: | Shade tree for mid-moisture sites. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Considerations: | Dense shade produced by this tree will limit what can be grown under it. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Propagation: | Seed. Can also be managed as a coppice plant. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Availability: | Native nurseries, FNPS plant sales, Seed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Light: | Part Shade, Shade | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Moisture Tolerance: |
always floodedextremely dry |
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(Usually moist, occasional inundation ----- to ----- Not wet but not extremely dry) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Moisture Tolerance: | Usually moist, occasional inundation ----- to ----- Not wet but not extremely dry | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance: | Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Salt Spray/ Salty Soil Tolerance: | Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Soil or other substrate: | Clay, Loam, Sand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Soil pH: | Acidic to circum-neutral |
Ecology
Wildlife: |
Seeds eaten by a variety of small mammals, especially rodents. | |
Insects: |
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Native Habitats: | Mesic forests. |
Distribution and Planting Zones
Natural Range in Florida
USDA Zones
Suitable to grow in:
8A 8B 9A 9B
USDA zones are based on minimum winter temperatures
Comments
Ethnobotany: | Has been used for lumber/furniture wood. Known as a good honey plant. | |
General Comments: | Tilia americana var. caroliniana and T. americana var. heterophylla both occur in Florida. Their cultural requirements and appearance are similar. |