Basswood

Tilia americana, Mallow family (Malvaceae)

Leaves:
Leaves are heart-shaped. Leaf edges are coarsely saw-toothed. Base of leaf is uneven.
Shiny dark green above, light green below. Leaves are large, up to 6 inches long, 4 inches wide.

Bark:
Bark is dark gray with ridges and furrows.

Flowers:
Small flowers have five yellowish-white petals. Flowers hang in long-stalked clusters from a leafy greenish bract.

Fruit:
Fruit is small, round, gray, hard, contains one to two seeds. Fruit hangs under a leafy bract that acts as a spinning parachute when ripe.


Basswood leaf, flower, and fruit (photo source #1)

 


Basswood leaf (photo source #13)


Mature fruit of Basswood (photo source #1)


Basswood flowers (photo source #7)

Photo Sources
1.  Brockman, C.F., and R. Merrilees.  2001.  Trees of North America.  Golden Field Guide, St. Martin’s Press, New York.
7.  Little, E. L.  1995.  National Audubon Society field guide to North American trees, eastern region.  Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York. 
13.  Symonds, G.W.D. and S.V. Chelminski.  1958.  The tree identification book.  William Morrow and Company, New York.