Maritime Arboretum Seed American Basswood

Tilia americana

American Basswood is a large, native North American deciduous tree valued for its heart-shaped leaves, fragrant yellowish flowers, attractive form, and excellent wildlife value. It is a long-lived shade tree that grows particularly well in moist, fertile soils and is also known as American Linden.

Approximate Maximum Height: 35 m
Zone(s): Zone 3a-7b

Lighting: Full sun to partial shade. Young seedlings benefit from some shade during establishment, while mature trees grow well in full sun to partial shade.

Germination: American Basswood seeds have deep dormancy and can be difficult and slow to germinate. For improved germination, seeds require seed-coat treatment followed by warm and cold stratification. A practical method is to soak seeds in hot water at approximately 60°C (140°F) for 24 hours, followed by approximately 60 days of warm stratification and 90 days of cold, moist stratification at 1-5°C (34-41°F). After treatment, sow very lightly, as germination can be slow and irregular and may take many months.

Watering: Keep the growing medium consistently moist but not waterlogged throughout stratification and germination. Once seedlings emerge, maintain even moisture and do not allow young plants to dry out. American Basswood naturally prefers moist, well-drained soil.

Photo Courtesy of Maritime Arboretum Ltd.