Basswood

Environmental

Not listed in CITES. Believed available from well-managed sources. Check certification status with suppliers.

Distribution

In Canada it is found from Atlantic coast westward to southern Manitoba, and extending southwards into eastern deciduous forests of the USA.

The tree

Although sometimes reaching a height of 30m with a diameter of 1.2m it is more usually about 18m to 21m tall and about 0.75m in diameter.

The timber

The wood is light-coloured, varying from creamy-white to pale brown, with a straight grain and fine. even texture, due to the uniform growth and lack of contrast between early-wood and late-wood zones. It is soft, light in weight, about 416kg/m³ when dried, and is weak and lacks toughness.

Drying

Dries without undue checking and distortion.

Strength

Similar in most strength categories to poplar, but a little more resistant to shock loads.

Working qualities

Good - Works extremely easily, and finishes smoothly. It takes nails and screws well, glues satisfactorily, and can be stained and polished without difficulty.