American Linden
409 Hilliard Street East
American Linden Tilia americana also known as Basswood, is native to Canada, growing as far west as Manitoba. It has heart shaped leaves and paired nut-like fruits that hang from an elongated leaf-like structure. The cream-coloured midsummer flowers produce a notable sweet fragrance that lasts for a few weeks until they are fertilized. The nectar from the flowers is a very important source of food for flying insects such as honeybees and butterflies. This tree has been appreciated from Europe to North America for its many attributes.
The inner bark has long interwoven fibres that peel easily and were used by Indigenous peoples to make rope, thread, mats, and even clothing. The thicker fibres were used to make snowshoes and fishing nets. Its soft wood allowed for easy carving and shaping of masks and sculptures. When boiled or crushed, the bark, leaves and stems provided poultices and teas for many ailments. Several other types of Linden, such as the Little Leaf Linden Tilia cordata, (which has a smaller leaf), are found throughout the city. Often they can be recognized from a distance by their pyramidal form. They make good ornamental trees for street plantings and landscapes as they have few insect and disease problems.
Alternate location: 442 Pinehouse Drive