Basswood 4/4, 8/4, 16/4

   Basswood (Tilia americana) is a medium-sized to large deciduous tree sometimes reaching a height of 60 to 120 ft. The wood is pale brown, sometimes nearly white or faintly tinged with red; light, soft with fine close grain; clear of knots but does not split easily. It is sold generally under the name basswood, but is sometimes confounded with tulip-wood and then called white-wood, and is largely used in the manufacture of wooden-ware, wagon boxes and furniture. It has a density of 0.4525. This makes it valuable in the manufacture of wooden-ware, cheap furnitur, bodies of carriages; it is also especially adapted for wood-carving. The inner bark is very tough and fibrous, used in the past for making ropes. It is a common wood for use in the production of solid body electric guitars, where it is considered an analogue for aspen and poplar, because it is light, strong and resonant, though it is usually used for guitars that will be painted an opaque color, because its lack of notable grain makes it an unattractive candidate for transparent finish.

   Basswood is the wood of choice for many wood carvers. This light weight wood works very easily with both hand and power tools. It cuts cleanly, nails, screws, and glues well, though sanding leaves the surface woolly. Turning blocks can be easily provided for your particular needs.

   Other Names: American basswood, American lime, American linden, Basswood, Beetree, Beetree linden, Carolina linden, Florida basswood, Florida linden, Limetree, Linden, Linn, White basswood