Vegetative Reproduction White basswood sprouts vigorously and commonly grows in clumps of three to six or more stems. Although clump growth is good, the trees are frequently defective and susceptible to sleet and wind damage. Typically, the bole is free of branches, smooth, and cylindrical. No volume or yield tables are available for white basswood. Although white basswood is not distinguished from American basswood in this survey, the latter species grows only in the northern and westernmost portions of Virginia and North Carolina.
White basswood grows in all five States.
Damaging Agents White basswood is relatively free of serious diseases, although it is attacked by cankers, rots, stains, leaf spots, and wilt. Discolorations of the wood are common following wounding of any type, but they are not considered serious defects unless decay enters before the wound heals. Decay fungi attacking white basswood include species of Daedalea, Fomes, Hydnum, Pholiota, Pleurotus, Polyporus, Irpex, and Stereum. Cankers caused by Nectria galligena are common on basswood but are not considered serious problems. Other stem diseases of minor importance are Nectria cinnabarina, Botryosphaeria ribis, and Strumella coryneoidea.