Basswood

PHOTO
DESCRIPTION	Basswood is creamy-white to a pale pinkish-brown. It has straight grain and a fine, even texture. There is not much contrast between early and late wood zones. Weight is about 26lbs per cu. ft.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN	North America
BOTANICAL NAME	Tilia Americana
OTHER NAMES	American Lime, American Whitewood, American Linden, Whitewood, Lime
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES	This wood is light and soft, and as such it is weak. It has poor steam bending characteristics and low strength properties.
WORKING PROPERTIES	Works very easily with hand and power tools. It has a low resistance to cutting and only a slight blunting effect on cutters. Nails, screws, and glues well. Can be stained and polished easily.
DURABILITY	Non-durable. Logs are susceptible to attack by longhorn beetle. Sapwood susceptible to attack by common furniture beetle. Permeable for preservative treatment.
SEASONING	Basswood dries rapidly with little degradation or warping. Small movement.
USES	Carving, drawing boards, pattern making, mallet heads, turning, picture framing, toys, constructional veneer and plywood, boxes, and crates.
COMMENTS	Being odor free, it is often used for food containers.