hardwood · Tilia americana
American Basswood wood properties
Also known as: basswood, american linden.
| Type | hardwood |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Tilia americana |
| Modulus of elasticity (MOE) | 1,460,000 psi |
| Specific gravity | 0.42 |
| Density (approx) | 26 lb/ft³ (2.2 lb per board foot) |
| Janka hardness | 410 lbf |
| Shrinkage (tangential / radial) | 9.3% / 6.6% |
| Region | Eastern North America |
A 1 in x 6 in x 8 ft board of American Basswood weighs about 8.7 lb (roughly 26 lb per cubic foot). Its Janka hardness of 410 lbf is harder than about 5% of the woods in our database.
Uses and working notes
Common uses: carving, musical instruments, veneer, plywood, lumber.
Durability: Non-durable, with heartwood that readily succumbs to decay.
Workability: Soft and effortless to cut; superb for hand carving, but holds nails and steam-bends poorly.
Use this data
Similar woods
Woods with comparable hardness and density to American Basswood:
How these numbers were sourced
MOE, SG (12% MC), Janka and shrinkage from The Wood Database (cites USDA FPL Wood Handbook). American basswood is not listed in the FPL/Hoadley dimensional-change table, so CT/CR are omitted. Uses, region, durability, workability summarized from The Wood Database. Price indicative.
Values shown as estimates rather than sourced constants: typicalPricePerBF_usd.
Sources
These calculators are for planning and estimation. Engineering results (shelf sag, wood movement) use published average material properties; real boards vary by grade, grain, moisture and defects. Verify load-bearing designs with a professional.