Under den Linden, was named, has also been planted in this country. Known in England as the Lime tree, this species attained enormous size in a few famous locations and illustrates the complex source of our language. Basswood was a major source of fiber for prehistoric peoples and many tribes of American Indians. Women gathered long strips of bark from sprouts and saplings, peeled off the outer bark with their teeth and used the inner bark or bast. The wood, white or creamy tan in color, is very light and soft but tough.
Thin strips can be bent, dry, to make baskets, chair seats, and the honeycomb sections for beehives.
It is widely used for woodenware, toys, barrel heads, boxes, crates, guitars and zithers, veneer and excelsior. It has proved especially valuable for artificial limbs. The Indians made grotesque masks of basswood because it is ideal for carving. Argonne National Laboratory, Division of Educational Programs, Harold Myron, Ph.D., Division Director.