When does American basswood bloom?

American basswood typically blooms in June and July, producing small, fragrant, pale cream flowers hanging in drooping clusters.

What pollinators are attracted to American basswood?

Bees and beetles are the main pollinators of American basswood, drawn to its nectar-rich summer flowers.

What growing conditions does American basswood prefer?

American basswood grows best in part sun with medium soil moisture, though it can tolerate brighter, sunnier sites and soils that run wetter or drier than average once established.

How large does American basswood grow?

As a mature tree, American basswood commonly reaches 60 to 80 feet tall with a broad, rounded canopy, making it a substantial shade tree for open landscapes and woodland edges.

Is American basswood evergreen?

No, American basswood is deciduous. It drops its leaves in autumn and produces new foliage each spring.

Is American Basswood toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag American Basswood as toxic to livestock.

Is American Basswood HOA-friendly?

American Basswood is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

American Basswood

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Tilia americana

Last reviewed: September 2026

American basswood is a large deciduous shade tree that blooms in June and July, growing well in moist woodlands, bottomlands, and open sites across much of the eastern and central United States.

American Basswood (Tilia americana) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag American Basswood as toxic to livestock.

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

600"–1200" H × 300"–600" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 33 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

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American basswood is a large, stately native tree with heart-shaped leaves and fragrant yellow flowers in summer. This long-lived shade tree develops a broad, rounded crown and provides excellent cooling for homes and landscapes.

Growing American Basswood

Grow American Basswood in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 600 to 1200 inches tall and spread 300 to 600 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

American Basswood is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, street edge, mid zone.

Large mature size requires adequate space
May drop sticky honeydew from aphids occasionally

Wildlife value

Host plant for luna moth.

The fragrant summer flowers are exceptional for bees and produce high-quality honey, making this tree valuable for pollinators. Seeds provide food for birds and small mammals, while the dense canopy offers nesting sites.

Common questions

When does American basswood bloom?: American basswood typically blooms in June and July, producing small, fragrant, pale cream flowers hanging in drooping clusters.
What pollinators are attracted to American basswood?: Bees and beetles are the main pollinators of American basswood, drawn to its nectar-rich summer flowers.
What growing conditions does American basswood prefer?: American basswood grows best in part sun with medium soil moisture, though it can tolerate brighter, sunnier sites and soils that run wetter or drier than average once established.
How large does American basswood grow?: As a mature tree, American basswood commonly reaches 60 to 80 feet tall with a broad, rounded canopy, making it a substantial shade tree for open landscapes and woodland edges.
Is American basswood evergreen?: No, American basswood is deciduous. It drops its leaves in autumn and produces new foliage each spring.
Is American Basswood toxic to dogs?: American Basswood is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
Is American Basswood toxic to cats?: American Basswood is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
Is American Basswood toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag American Basswood as toxic to livestock.
Is American Basswood HOA-friendly?: American Basswood is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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