The large basswood tree on our Littleton farm is now full of fragrant, yellow flowers, attracting hordes of honeybees. Also known as lindens or lime trees, these trees are represented by at least thirty species across North America and Eurasia.
Long-lived, basswoods are renowned for the honey produced from their nectar and for their soft, light, finely-grained wood, used to construct musical instruments. The flowers are also used to brew herbal teas which are claimed to have a variety of medicinal properties. While basswoods attract aphids and the ants that "farm" them for their "honey dew," neither appears to affect the health of the tree.
We'll just enjoy the beauty of our basswood, its fragrant flowers and the shade that its dense canopy offers during the hot days of summer.
