Common Trade Names: American basswood, lime, linden, basswood, American whitewood, beetree, beetree linden, Florida basswood, Carolina linden, limetree, linn, white basswood
Scientific Name: Tilia americana
Color Range: creamy white to very light brown; color is mostly even throughout the wood’s surface, with no clear distinction between the sapwood and heartwood
Availability: Basswood is widely available in wood shops and is often sold as lumber or carving blanks.
Janka Hardness Scale: 410 lbf
Average Weight per BF: 2.33 lbs/ Bd. Ft
What Is Basswood Wood?
Basswood is a large tree spanning a length of 60 to 100 feet in height and a trunk diameter of 3 to 4 ft. Basswood’s exemplary features include its soft, fine and even texture. High-end shutter manufacturers and wood carvers highly prize these features. The sapwood of this tree has a creamy white color that usually merges with its heartwood. Sometimes, the heartwood has reddish brown or dark streaks.
Using basswood lumber has been popular for carving and turnery. It also glues and finishes well. Good quality basswood also nails, screws and cuts cleanly. However, there are occasions when hardwood lumber from basswood cannot hold nails properly.
Where Does Basswood Come From?
As domestic hardwood lumber, basswood mainly grows in North America, particularly in Eastern Canada and the United States. It is usual to find the tree in Southern Ontario and the northwestern corner of the Ontario-Minnesota border. Basswood trees can be found throughout Iowa in Midwest products as well.
Basswood grows best on deep and moist soil in the uplands and slopes. It is also found in protected ravines and bluffs. While basswood can adapt to different soil conditions easily, it grows best in moist, well-drained soil with full sun and dense shade.
Is Basswood Hardwood or Softwood?
Basswood is a hardwood lumber. However, it classifies as a soft hardwood with a rating of only 410 lbf on the Janka Hardness Scale. This means the wood is not as strong as other hardwoods like teak, oak and black cherry. Basswood makes up for its low hardness rating by being a pliant wood used for wood turning and hand carving. This hardwood is also used to make rugs, ropes and bandages.
What to Look for When Purchasing Basswood Lumber
Always check for wood imperfections such as warping or knots when buying lumber. So, take extra time to check every lumber piece you pick up. A basswood lumber should also have a pale white to light brown color.
Additionally, ask how the lumber was dried and for how long. Kiln-dried lumber is the best option to ensure that moisture content is minimal. Before buying basswood lumber, know the size and dimension of what you need and get something bigger to provide you with some extra inches for sawing, cutting and planing.
FAQs
Is basswood a good quality wood?
Basswood is a fairly decent choice depending on where you will use it. Though not as durable and hard as other hardwoods, basswood is an excellent solution for making musical instruments, carving, veneer, plywood and lumber.
How expensive is basswood?
Basswood lumber is on the lower end of the price spectrum. They are affordable and widely distributed across the state. But, if you are looking for a large basswood carving block, expect to cash out more, as they can be expensive.
Does basswood have an odor?
No, basswood does not emit an odor when working on it. That is why it is one of the wood choices for making wooden food containers where odor-free materials are valuable.
Is basswood suitable for outdoor use?
Basswood is not suited for outdoor exposure because it rots easily. It is not decay-resistant and will wither when exposed to harsh elements.
Where to Buy Basswood Lumber
Basswood lumber comes from domestic hardwood, which means they are sourced locally and marketed in many lumber stores. The prices of basswood lumber vary depending on its size, grade and cut.
If you want top-grade basswood lumber, you can check us out at Alderfer Lumber Company Inc. We sell all types of lumber from different wood species. Our lumber products are ethically sourced and properly dried. We want to protect our environment as much as we want to provide you with premium lumber.
Our inventory of basswood lumber typically includes top-grade FAS and comes in various sizes. You can give us a call or send us a message if you have any questions or if you want something from our inventory.
