All species look alike microscopically.
The word tilia is the classical Latin name, probably from the Greek ptilon , wing, referring to the winglike bract of flower clusters. Basswood may grow to be more than 140 years old. The trees have straight trunks, with most of the bole limb-free, and narrow, short crowns. The trees grow as a cluster of stems, developed from stump sprouts. The bark is initially dark green and shiny, developing to a grayish color with deep furrows.