Specs
- Common Names
- Basswood, lime, linden, American basswood
- Scientific Name
- Tilia americana
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Appearance
- Pale white to light brown color, with sapwood and heartwood sections not clearly defined. Growth rings tend to be subtle, and color is mostly uniform throughout the face grain of the wood. Knots and other defects are uncommon. Grain is straight, with a fine, even texture and moderate natural luster.
- Avg. Dried Weight
- 26 lbs/ft3 (415 kg/m3)
- Janka Hardness
- 410 lbf
- Modulus of Rupture
- 8,700 lbf/in2 (60 MPa)
- Elastic Modulus
- 1,460,000 lbf/in2 (10.07 GPa)
- Crushing Strength
- 4,730 lbf/in2 (32.6 MPa)
- Shrinkage
- Radial: 6.6%, Tangential: 9.3%, Volumetric: 15.8%, T/R Ratio: 1.4
- Durability
- Basswood is rated as non-durable in regard to heartwood decay.
- Workability
- Easy to work, being very soft and light. Perhaps one of the most suitable wood species for hand carving. Basswood also glues and finishes well, but has poor steam bending and nail holding characteristics.
