Thursday, April 6, 2017

Basswood Tree Identification

Identifying specific tree species is a mysterious and dark-art to most people.  Particularly those species which are considered 'exotic' for the area in which one lives.
Click for larger image

Wood carvers like to use 'basswood' (the tree is also called American Linden) but here in Tri-Cities, it's rarely seen. While the bark does not appear to be terribly distinct, basswood is one of the few trees which has 2 differently shaped leaves.  On a tree which was felled when the leaves were on, I have seen these leaves stay attached for up to 2 years.  That really helped to identify the species!

Basswood / Linden is also surprisingly hard.  If you haven't noticed that, you're pretty good at sharpening your carving tools ;)

1 comment:

  1. It is the most common wood used by wood carver for making wood things.

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