This basswood is located south of LeBaron Hall.
The basswood is native
from Canada to North Carolina, west to Oklahoma, Kansas and North Dakota.
The only native linden in Iowa, it occurs throughout the state. It has a
deep, wide-spreading root system and, although it prefers deep, moist,
fertile soil, it will grow on drier, gravelly soils. In Iowa it is found
on sheltered, north- and east-facing slopes of stream valleys, often becoming
the dominant species in moist, upland woods. Large size limits the
use of this species in the landscape, although it is a fast-grower and a
good shade tree. Fragrant flowers attract bees and the nectar provides
a distinctively-flavored honey.
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