Basswood:

Below you will find information about some of the timber I use in the making of Chairs, and other furniture. (some of it may not be avalable in your area.)

Basswood:

• "Tila americana"

Other Names:

• American lime.

Sources:

• Canada.
• USA.

Tree Characteristics:

• A medium size tree about 65ft in height and 2ft in diameter, but can be more.
• It produces a straight trunk, often branch free for much of its length.

Characteristics of the wood:

• An odourless fine straight grained even textured wood, with little contrast between earlywood and latewood.
• It is creamy white in colour, turning to pale brown on exposure. It is a soft and weak wood, and is lighter in weight than the related European lime (Tilia vulgaris).
• It is not durable.

Workability:

• An easy wood to work, its fine even texture pares easily with sharp handtools and cuts cleanly with machine tools.
• It can be brought to a fine smooth finish and it glues well.

Average dried weight:

• 26lb/cuft.

Finishing:

• It stains well and polishes to a fine finish.

Common uses:

• Carving.
• Turnery.
• Pattern making.
• Drawing boards.
• Piano keys.
• Plywood.
• Joinery.