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Tilia caroliniana - Mill.

Common Name Carolina Basswood
Family Tiliaceae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Grows best in rich moist woods, or in dense hummocks by streams in the south of its range[229].
Range South-eastern N. America - Virginia to Florida, west to Texas.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Tilia caroliniana Carolina Basswood


USDA Plant Database
Tilia caroliniana Carolina Basswood
USDA Plant Database

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

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Tilia caroliniana is a deciduous Tree growing to 20 m (65ft 7in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in July, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

T. americana pubescens. T. ashei. T. floridana. T. pubescens.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses: Tea

Young leaves - raw[K]. A tea is made from the flowers. A very good chocolate substitute is made from a paste of the ground fruits and flowers[2]. Trials on marketing the product failed because the paste decomposes readily[2].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antispasmodic  Diaphoretic  Sedative

A tea made from the flowers is antispasmodic, diaphoretic and sedative[226].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Fibre  Wood

A fibre is obtained from the tough inner bark It can be made into diverse items such as mats, shoes and coarse cloth[229]. Wood - soft, light, easily worked. Used for interior finishing, woodenware etc[149].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a good moist loamy alkaline to neutral soil but succeeds on slightly acid soils[11, 200]. Grows poorly on any very dry or very wet soil[200. Dislikes exposed positions[200]. Succeeds in sun or semi-shade[188]. One report suggests that this tree is probably tender in Britain[11] whilst another says that it succeeds in zone 7, which means that it should be hardy in most of Britain[200]. A fast-growing tree in its native habitats[227], but it prefers a continental climate, growing more slowly and not producing fertile seed in areas with cool summers[200]. Lime trees tend to hybridise freely if other members of the genus are growing nearby[238]. If growing plants from seed it is important to ensure the seed came from a wild source or from an isolated clump of the single species[K]. Grows best in a woodland situation, young plants tolerate a reasonable level of side shade[200]. A good bee plant[149]. Trees are usually attacked by aphids which cover the ground and the leaves with a sticky honeydew[188]. Quite tolerant of root disturbance, semi-mature trees up to 5 metres tall have been transplanted successfully. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - much of the seed produced in Britain is not viable, cut a few seedcases open to see if there is a seed inside[80]. If possible, obtain fresh seed that is ripe but has not as yet developed a hard seed coat and sow it immediately in a cold frame. It may germinate in the following spring though it could take 18 months[80]. Stored seed can be very slow to germinate. It has a hard seed coat, embryo dormancy and a hard coat on the pericarp. All these factors mean that the seed may take up to 8 years to germinate[80]. One way of shortening this time is to stratify the seed for 5 months at high temperatures (10°c at night, up to 30°c by day) and then 5 months cold stratification[80]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Layering in spring just before the leaves unfurl. Takes 1 - 3 years[78]. Suckers, when formed, can be removed with as much root as possible during the dormant season and replanted immediately[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

Mill.

Botanical References

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Subject : Tilia caroliniana  
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