Basswood — Identification, Uses and Properties
Tilia americana Malvaceae
Commonly available as 4/4 through 12/4 lumber and carving blanks.
Highly favored for intricate hand carving and high-quality model making due to its fine, uniform texture.
HARDWOOD NORTH AMERICA CARVINGS
Taxonomy & Nomenclature
Botanical Name(s)
Tilia americana
Family
Malvaceae
Wood type
Hardwood
Local Names
American basswood (United States), American linden (United States), Lime tree (United Kingdom), Tilo americano (Mexico), Bee-tree (United States)
Origin Region
North America
Main End Uses
Carvings · Lumber · Electric guitar bodies · Veneer · Plywood · Wood pulp · Interior joinery · Furniture · Wooden utensils · Yardsticks
Wood Identification Guide
Reference Colour
Light white to pale brown
Texture
Fine and uniform
Grain
Straight
Sapwood
Not distinctly separated from heartwood
Interlocked Grain
Absent
Notes
Basswood is identified by its extremely light weight and pale, creamy color that shows little contrast between heartwood and sapwood. The grain is straight with a fine, even texture and a moderate natural sheen. It lacks a distinctive odor. Under magnification, it is diffuse-porous with vessels in radial multiples or clusters. It is one of the softest hardwoods, often feeling almost like balsa or white pine in density.
Wood Identifier App
Identify Basswood and more with the app
Snap a photo and get instant AI-powered species recognition. Available on Google Play and the App Store.
Log Description
Tree height
65 – 120 ft
Tree height
20 – 37 m
Diameter
100-150 cm
Buoyancy
Floats
Diameter
39.4-59.1 in
Physical & Mechanical Properties
Density
415 g/cm³ @ 12% MC
Density
25.9 lb/ft³
Monnin Hardness
410
Janka Hardness
410 lbf
Janka Hardness
1,824 N
Volumetric Shrinkage Coefficient
0.53 % / %
Tangential Shrinkage
9.3 %
Radial Shrinkage
6.6 %
T/R Anisotropy Ratio
1.4
Fibre Saturation Point
30 %
Thermal Conductivity
0.11 W/m·K
Thermal Conductivity
0.064 BTU/(h·ft·°F)
Lower Heating Value
18.5 MJ/kg
Lower Heating Value
7,959 BTU/lb
Crushing Strength
32.6 MPa
Crushing Strength
4,728 psi
Bending Strength (MOR)
60 MPa
Bending Strength (MOR)
8,702 psi
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
10,070 MPa
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
1,460,530 psi
Durability & Treatment
Resistance to Decay
Non-durableDry Wood Borers
SusceptibleTermites
SusceptibleTreatability
ImpregnableUse Class
Class 5Preservation Requirements
Against Dry Wood Borers
Requires treatment for permanent useNotes
Heartwood is considered non-durable and is susceptible to insect attack.Drying Schedule & Risks
Drying Rate
Rapid
Risk Distortion
Moderate risk of distortion during initial drying
Risk Checking
Low risk
Risk Collapse
Low risk
Suggested Schedule
T10-D4S
Sawing & Machining
Blunting Effect
Very low
Tooth For Sawing
Standard steel
Machining Tools
Standard
Suitability Peeling
Good
Suitability Slicing
Good
Notes
Excellent workability due to its softness. It is the premier wood for hand carving and can be easily worked with both hand and machine tools.Assembling & Finishing
Nailing Screwing
Poor nail retention
Fire Safety & Ratings
French Grading Thick Gt14mm
M4
French Grading Thick Lt14mm
M4
Euroclass
D-s2, d0
Commercial Grading
NHLA Grades
FAS Selects No. 1 Common No. 2A Common
CITES & Trade Restrictions
CITES Status
Unlisted
Back to Species Library
Completeness: 9.4 / 10