About the wood
Basswood
Tilia americana
The carver's wood, pale and even enough that it never fights the pattern cut into it. Linden in Europe, lime to the English, basswood in North America, and native across North Carolina.
- Janka
- 410 lbf
- Density
- 26.0 lb/ft³
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern
Working & finishing
Easy to work, being very soft and light, and among the most suitable species for hand carving. Glues and finishes well but has poor steam bending and poor nail holding, so fasten with screws into blocking or a glued sub-frame. The pale, even color takes paint and dye cleanly; a clear oil leaves it soft to the touch and quick to dent, so a film finish or paint is the usual choice.
Care
Treat it as a soft surface: use boards and trivets, wipe spills promptly, and expect dents under hard use. Indoor use only; the heartwood is non-durable. Once kiln dried it is stable in service, so seasonal movement is modest.