Tree Scar

This is an American Basswood tree. There is a stems joined at the base of the tree. This is normal for Am. Basswood trees. Often there are multiple stems.

The strange scar caused me to be interested in this tree. What caused this scar to look like this? Usually scars come from dead branches that fall off. This scar does not look like this was the case.

It could be that there was a branch rubbing from one stem on the other stem. Over time they grew together and some event killed that branch and it fell off, causing the strange scar.

Acts 14:22 "strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”"

Tree injuries are not good and will hinder the tree by allowing disease and pests to gain access to the tree. The trees bark will grow over the injury over time. Often that is not fast enough.

We have ability to bounce back from injury with the help of the Lord. In fact it is the problems of life that allows us to see into the eternal realm if we have eyes to see. Not that it is God's will, but God will use what comes against us for our gain.

Basswood Blow Down

We drove up to this park and noticed a blow down after a recent storm.  All the other trees withstood the storm but this one didn't.  What was the cause of the weakness? Sometimes you will see whole rootwads pulled up. This tree just snapped at the stem.

The stem does not look that bad. There did not seem to be any rot.  Basswood is a lighter wood than other trees. It would do better with other trees than to stand by itself.

Here is what is left in the ground.

Leaf and fruiting leaf of basswood.

Romans 12:3 "For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God as allotted to each a measure of faith."

Find like minded believers to fellowship with and be encouraged by. We are built up by prayer, the Word and encouragement. 

American Basswood

Basswood canopy.

The bark of the tree has straight grain.

The light colored leaves are part of the fruiting body. (from a different tree)

Basswood is used by wood carvers. It has other uses. Coffins, moulding trim wood, use for models because of the soft wood but also it does not show growth rings that would mar the purpose of the model. Indians would use it to make canoes.

I see Basswood as a type of Christian that is pliable in the hands of God to work for His purposes.

2 Timothy 2:21 "Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work."

American Basswood Bud

I have some extention tubes to add on to my camera lens. Now I am able to get better close ups of the trees I watch. This is the best one of the Basswood tree I took the other day. The red buds are distinctive. 

Nature seems drab in the winter. But when you get up close there is much to draw my interest. These red buds are a delight.

Young American Basswood Bark

American Basswood 30-May-09 HIke

Walking further down the trail I heard thge call of a Red tailed hawk. I glanced up and looked through a hole in the canopy. I saw the hawk perched above looking at me. I reached for my camera and it was gone.

As I crossed a creek I noticed a tree with deep verticle ridges. When I looked at the leaves, sure enough it was a Basswood tree. The leaves are similar to Mulberry but the bark of the 2 trees are very different.

Basswood

Here is a good example of Basswood stems growing up from the roots of the tree. Notice the leaves in the photo below are from the new stems growing from the roots. They are bigger leaves, which may be due to the fact that they are below the canopy of the larger tree.
These leaves do not have seeds growing near them.




The leaves above in the parent tree do have seeds growing on them. They are smaller leaves and may not grow as large because they receive more sunlight.

All these leaves are from the same tree, because the smaller stems are from the same root system of the larger tree above.

Basswood

The leaning tree on the right at the edge of the woods is the Basswood.

Height 62'
Circumferance 56.5"
Canopy 36' & 34'
Total points 127.3



1 to 2 red bud scales
leaves alternate
stipular scar < 1/2 around twig
leaf scar 1/8"
I could distinguish 4 bundle scars
Twig last yr red on one tree the other the whole twin was brown.
lateral and end buds 3/16"
lenticles oblong
pith solid yellow
twig and bud hairless
mature bark long furrows

Basswood and Paw Paw Trees

Above is a canopy of Basswood and below is Paw Paw saplings in the understory. The trees in the background that are winding around each other are Basswood trees.




Psalm 119:2
"How blessed are those who observe His testimonies,
Who seek Him with all their heart."

Basswood vs. Mulberry

Sometimes when I see these leaves on the ground I get confused if it is a basswood or mulberry. Here is a contrast between a basswood leaf and a mulberry leaf. Notice the mulberry leaf has predominate small veins while the basswood leaf seems smoother. Click on photo for larger view.

I hiked in this park at lunch. Below is the entrance to the trail.



The trail drops down a little. I had trouble walking down in the snow, so I went into the woods and held saplings as I went down.



Here I am walking along the trail which is more or less level as shown below.



Below is evidence of squirrles.



Basswood clump. I normally find them this way. My thinking is they are sprouts from a stump.





Not far from the basswood is this knarly oak.



Frozen spring.



Next to the spring is a creek flowing downhill.

American Basswood

25 Feb 2005 Photo of American Basswood



Leaves with fruit form. June 05 


I first I.D.ed this tree because I saw it growing in a clump. There was one in a park I was walking in for lunch. The tree usually has a straight bole. The tree may reproduce by sprouting from a stump of an older tree.

BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Vermont's ID page Good photos for ID

Biggest American Basswood tree 246 points!