Basswood, or Linden, may be the most beautiful of all the large shade trees. 
 
     Also known as the bee tree, it's a large tree with fragrant flowers attracting so many bees the buzzing can be heard several feet away.  Basswood flowers during the summer, when bees are hard-pressed to find nectar anywhere else, making it a particularly important tree for pollination.
 
     The tree’s lower branches drape downward before sweeping up in a gentle curve.
 
     The leaves are heart shaped and dark green, turning yellow in the fall. Small, grey nuts appear later in the summer and persist until winter.
 
     For more on Tilia americana, read my blog here
 
     Fun fact: ☺ Honey made from the nectar of the Linden flower is considered gourmet, and its flowers have been used to make tea. ☺