SPECIES

Basswood

Tilia americana

American Basswood is a lightweight species known for its creamy color and fine workability. Renowned as a premium wood for carving, it can be shaped accurately into thin sections, making it a favorite for intricate projects.

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BWSB499-06
4/4 S&B Basswood
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

Basswood’s sapwood is large and creamy white, transitioning to pale or reddish-brown heartwood. The difference between sapwood and heartwood is subtle, with the wood featuring a fine, uniform texture and straight grain. Dark streaks may appear, though they are not considered defects.

WORKABILITY

Basswood machines easily, making it ideal for carving and working with hand tools. It holds screws better than nails, glues well, and finishes smoothly. The wood dries quickly with minimal degrade and maintains good dimensional stability once dry.

COMMON USES
  • Mouldings
  • Carving
  • Furniture
  • Musical instruments
  • Turning
GRADE OPTIONS

Clarity for all applications

Our Basswood comes in a variety of different grades. See below for images of our average pack of Basswood in the core three grades we offer. 

Select & Better
BWSB499-02
4/4 SB Basswood
Layer 1 Top Face
BWSB499-01
4/4 SB Basswood
Layer 1 Back Face
BWSB499-03
4/4 SB Basswood
Layer 2 Top Face
BWSB499-04
4/4 SB Basswood
Layer 2 Back Face
BWSB499-05
4/4 SB Basswood
Layer 3 Top Face
BWSB499-06
4/4 SB Basswood
Layer 3 Back Face
BWSB499-07
4/4 SB Basswood
Layer 4 Top Face
BWSB499-08
4/4 SB Basswood
Layer 4 Back Face
BWSB499-09
4/4 SB Basswood
Layer 5 Top Face
BWSB499-10
4/4 SB Basswood
Layer 5 Back Face
BWSB499-11
4/4 SB Basswood
Layer 6 Top Face
BWSB499-12
4/4 SB Basswood
Layer 6 Back Face

Specs

Min. Width: 4 in

Min. Length: 6 ft

Min. Clarity: 83.33% 

1 Common
BW1C499-02
4/4 1C Basswood
Layer 1 Top Face
BW1C499-01
4/4 1C Basswood
Layer 1 Back Face
BW1C499-04
4/4 1C Basswood
Layer 2 Top Face
BW1C499-03
4/4 1C Basswood
Layer 2 Back Face
BW1C499-05
4/4 1C Basswood
Layer 3 Top Face
BW1C499-06
4/4 1C Basswood
Layer 3 Back Face
BW1C499-07
4/4 1C Basswood
Layer 4 Top Face
BW1C499-08
4/4 1C Basswood
Layer 4 Back Face
BW1C499-09
4/4 1C Basswood
Layer 5 Top Face
BW1C499-10
4/4 1C Basswood
Layer 5 Back Face
BW1C499-11
4/4 1C Basswood
Layer 6 Top Face
BW1C499-12
4/4 1C Basswood
Layer 6 Back Face

Specs

Min. Width: 3 in

Min. Length: 4 ft

Min. Clarity: 66.66% 

2 Common
BW2C4U-02
4/4 2C Basswood
Layer 1 Top Face
BW2C4U-01
4/4 2C Basswood 
Layer 1 Back Face
BW2C4U-03
4/4 2C Basswood
Layer 2 Top Face
BW2C4U-04
4/4 2C Basswood
Layer 2 Back Face
BW2C4U-05
4/4 2C Basswood
Layer 3 Top Face
BW2C4U-06
4/4 2C Basswood
Layer 3 Back Face
BW2C4U-07
4/4 2C Basswood
Layer 4 Top Face
BW2C4U-08
4/4 2C Basswood
Layer 4 Back Face
BW2C4U-09
4/4 2C Basswood
Layer 5 Top Face
BW2C4U-10
4/4 2C Basswood
Layer 5 Back Face
BW2C4U-11
4/4 2C Basswood
Layer 6 Top Face
BW2C4U-12
4/4 2C Basswood
Layer 6 Back Face

Specs

Min. Width: 3 in

Min. Length: 4 ft

Min. Clarity: 50% 

All Basswood Products We Offer

Grades Lengths (ft) Thicknesses  Color or Characteristic Sorts
Select & Better (S&B) 8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-16*

4/4, 5/4*

 UNS
1 Common (1C) 4-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-16*

4/4, 5/4*

 UNS
2 Common (2C) 4-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-16*

4/4, 5/4*

 UNS

*Available upon request only

regional map - w names

Sourcing Regions

We source our Basswood from the  Northern  region of the US which is the primary area that Basswood grows.

The American Hardwood Export Council has an excellent interactive map that can show you where different species grow in the US.

Click the link below and select the species "American Basswood " to see a map of how much of the US forest volume is Basswood. 

CHECK OUT THE MAP

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Additional Resources

EBOOK

Guide to Sustainable American Hardwoods

This publication combines AHEC’s guide to species and the guide to lumber grades in to a single illustrated and comprehensive guide to sustainable American hardwoods. The front half of the publication gives a full break down of the properties, applications, environmental credentials of the commercially available U.S. hardwood species. The back gives a simplified explanation of the NHLA grading system, which is the national standard for the U.S. hardwood lumber industry and forms the basis for export grading.

VIEW EBOOK
Guide to Sustainable American Hardwoods
GUIDE

American Basswood - AHEC Species Guide

Discover detailed info on material availability, mechanical properties, and more on the American Hardwood Export Council website. 

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