| |
Tilia americana American basswood Deciduous tree (1 Page of 5) The Tilia americana plant species is found in Central and Eastern N. America - New Brunswick to Florida, west to Texas and Manitoba. It is a member of the Tiliaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as American basswood. Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses Medicinal | Edible Uses Latin Name: Tilia americana Common Name: American basswood Family: Tiliaceae Author: L. Known Hazards: Frequent consumption of the tea made from the flowers may cause heart damage[222]. Mature Height: 25 Mature Width: 12 Habitat: Rich, often moist, soils of woods and bottomlands, often forming pure stands[82, 227].
Propagation Notes: Seed - much of the seed produced in Britain is not viable, cut a few seedcases open to see if there is a seed inside[80]. If possible, obtain fresh seed that is ripe but has not as yet developed a hard seed coat and sow it immediately in a cold frame. It may germinate in the following spring though it could take 18 months[80]. Stored seed can be very slow to germinate. It has a hard seed coat, embryo dormancy and a hard coat on the pericarp. All these factors mean that the seed may take up to 8 years to germinate[80]. One way of shortening this time is to stratify the seed for 5 months at high temperatures (10°c at night, up to 30°c by day) and then 5 months cold stratification[80]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Layering in spring just before the leaves unfurl. Takes 1 - 3 years[78].
Suckers, when formed, can be removed with as much root as possible during the dormant season and replanted immediately[200].
For further Tilia americana gardening information click on one of the blue links below Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses Medicinal | Edible Uses
The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'. View their bibliography

| |