Its growth is moderately fast and it produces commercially valuable lumber. The soft, lightweight wood is used for cabinetry, woodenware, and pulpwood, among its many uses. The name beetree linden is common because of the extensive use of this tree by bees for honey production. It is also an attractive landscape tree.
Outlying populations occur in eastern Pennsylvania and western New York.
It reaches its largest growth in the Appalachian Mountains, where it is often dominant. Climate Climatic conditions vary widely within the range of white basswood. Soils and Topography Quite particular in its soil and moisture requirements, white basswood cannot tolerate very wet or very dry conditions, and it almost always grows on moist but well-drained soils. This tree grows best along mountain streams or in mountain coves where the soils have an alluvial or a colluvial origin. White basswood is found on soils of five orders, Inceptisols, Ultisols, Alfisols, Entisols, and Mollisols.