American basswood – description, flowering period and general distribution in District of Columbia. Linden twig with buds

American basswood – description, flowering period and general distribution in District of Columbia. Flowering linden twig

American basswood – description, flowering period and general distribution in District of Columbia. Linden flowers give nectar flown bumblebee

American basswood – description, flowering period and general distribution in District of Columbia. Bumble bee collects nectar from a linden

American basswood – description, flowering period and general distribution in District of Columbia. Basswood - Summer honey plant

American basswood – description, flowering period and general distribution in District of Columbia. American basswood (Linden) grove

Common name:

American basswood

Scientific name:

Tilia americana.

Other common name(s):

American basswood, Basswood, Linden.

Life form:

Tree.

Flowering time:

14 days.

Flowering period

in District of Columbia for this plant is: Late May ↔ Early July.

NECTAR PRODUCTION:
800 – 1,100 pounds per acre

SOURCE FOR HONEY BEES:
Major

General distribution:

The native range of American basswood extends from southwestern New Brunswick and Maine west to southern Quebec, southern and western Ontario, Michigan, Minnesota, and southeastern Manitoba; south to eastern North Dakota, northern and eastern Nebraska, eastern Kansas, and northeastern Oklahoma; east to northern Arkansas, Tennessee, western North Carolina, and New Jersey.

Map of distribution and habitat in USA

This plant is present in at least 43 states/provinces in this country.

See The Map

Botanical description:

The American basswood is a medium-sized to a large deciduous tree reaching a height of 18 to 37 m (60 to 120 ft) exceptionally 39 m (128 ft) with a trunk diameter of 1–1.5 m (3–5 ft) at maturity. It grows faster than many North American hardwoods, often twice the annual growth rate of American beech and many birch species. Life expectancy is around 200 years, with flowering and seeding generally occurring between 15 and 100 years, though occasionally seed production may start as early as 8 years.

The leaves are simple, alternately arranged, ovate to cordate, asymmetrical, unequal at the base (the side nearest the branch the largest), 10–15 cm (4–6 in) (can grow up to 25 cm or 10 in) long and broad, with a long, slender petiole, a coarsely serrated margin and an acuminate apex.

The flowers are small, fragrant, yellowish-white, 10–14 mm (13⁄32–9⁄16 inch) in diameter, arranged in drooping, cymose clusters of 6–20 with a whitish-green leaf-like bract attached for half its length at the base of the cyme.

Seasonal development:

American basswood usually flowers in June, but flowering dates range from late May to early July. Flowering occurs from 1 to 4 weeks after spring leaf-out. In Minnesota, bud swell occurs from late April to early May, and leafing out occurs from early to mid-May. Seeds are dispersed in October, and leaf fall occurs from September to October.

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List of honey plants that may be blooming now in District of Columbia

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