# American Linden (*Tilia americana*) The American Linden tree has heart-shaped leaves and is known for its sweet-smelling flowers. It’s a lovely tree to sit under! - **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 17 - **Habitat:** Forests and parks - **Also known as:** Basswood, Linden Tree, lindens, basswoods, and lime trees ![American Linden](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426062/objects/4800.jpg) ## Appearance The American Linden has large, heart-shaped, finely toothed leaves that are dark green above and paler below. Its bark is smooth and gray when young, developing deep furrows with age. Clusters of fragrant, pale yellow flowers hang below a leafy bract. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Malvales - **Family:** Malvaceae - **Genus:** Tilia ## Interesting facts - Honey made from Linden flowers is famously light, delicious, and highly prized by beekeepers. - Its extremely soft wood is a favorite for carving, making toys, and even musical instruments! - Native Americans once stripped its inner bark to weave into strong ropes and mats. - You can tap its sap in spring, just like maple trees, to make a sweet, refreshing drink! ## Special abilities - **Pollinator Paradise:** American Linden has highly fragrant, nectar-rich flowers that attract many bees, helping it reproduce successfully. - **Urban Resilience:** American Linden can tolerate pollution and various soils, helping it survive in city environments. - **Woodworker's Delight:** American Linden has soft, fine-grained wood that helps humans craft furniture and carvings easily. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 20-40 m - **Spread:** 10-20 m - **Edible:** Yes - **Size:** 50-150 cm - **Lifespan:** 100-200 years - **Fruit Type:** Small nutlet - **Growth Rate:** Medium - **Leaf Type:** Deciduous ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar for honey. - **Eats:** [Eastern Tiger Swallowtail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-tiger-swallowtail) (*Papilio glaucus*) — Its caterpillars feed on leaves. - **Eats:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Browses on young twigs. - **Eats:** [Eastern Gray Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-gray-squirrel) (*Sciurus carolinensis*) — Feeds on its small seeds. ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. ## Collections - [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify American Linden? Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is American Linden? 20-40 m ### How wide does American Linden spread? 10-20 m ### Is American Linden edible? Yes ### How big is American Linden? 50-150 cm ### How long does American Linden live? 100-200 years ### Where is American Linden usually found? Forests and parks ### What kind of fruit does American Linden produce? Small nutlet ## Where to spot - [Awbury Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/awbury-arboretum) — Pennsylvania, US · Botanical Garden - [Cedar Brook Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cedar-brook-park) — New Jersey, US · Park - [Chatham Arch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chatham-arch) — Indiana, US · Neighborhood - [Fort Payne Boom Town Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-payne-boom-town-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Fort Revere Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-revere-park) — US · State Park - [Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gibraltar-rock-state-natural-area) — Wisconsin, US · State Park [View all places to see American Linden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/american-linden) ## More Trees - [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*) - [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*) - [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*) - [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) --- Source: [American Linden: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-linden)