[Ashbys]

I was doing a little research , and foundout American linden is Europe's Limewood.

Is there a diiference ?

Ash

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

I have found the same thing. The only thing I can think of as a difference would be a variance in climate or maybe a slight variation in species. From what I have been able to find out, there really isn't that much difference and if you can find a location in Europe that has the exact same conditions as in the U.S. (whichever part your basswood comes from), it would be the same. It could also be one of the wrong again Ed things.

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Maybe it's the spelling?

[arapsang]

I've always thought that American Basswood, European Linden and English Lime were the same thing. Tilia sp.

Peter Connor

[doris]

limewood is a loose term, the lime tree is genus, namely tilia, and has several species, for example, bass wood = tilia americana,,,, there are at least two european species of lime wood trees, namely "sommer linde"=summer limewood with broad leaves and "winter linde"=winter lime wood with small leaves. the first is tilia platyphylos, the second is tilia cordata.

sommer linde is great for carving, all southern german renaissance carvers used it, it grows only in south germany. the advantage over the winter linde which grows all in germany is that it grows faster and much bigger, it shrinks less and thus not splits that much when it dries out....also, sommer linde carves better, allows even carving against grain. therefore, in germany at renaissance time, linden was only used in southern germany, namely that sommer linde, while the carvers in northern germany almost without exception carved oak...

the german name "linde" comes from the old language german, and means tender and soft, we use this word now to describe first warm spring nights ... the english word "lime" is said to come from a mistranslation of the german word "linde". i dont know the origin of the word bass wood

[Ashbys]

Doris

Basswood received it's name when the Euro's came to the America's . The thread fibers of the tree was used by the Native Americans, as thread. So it was referred to as a basting tree, in reference to sewing.
Distortion of the term overtime, resulted in a slang reference bastree. then basswood.

I really was wondering if it had any different carving properties.

If not then can we consider american basswood carving as limewood carving .

Terms are misleading, if the material used is the same.

Ash

[doris]

thanks ash, that is interesting to know... now that let me think bass wood is more simlar to winterlinden, though they are different species... i doubt that bass wood carves same good as summer linden, since summer linden and winter linden, the 2 european limetrees i know of, do carve dramatically different. winter linden is not that nice, yes, it is very soft too, but it makes more easily lots of mess in small grooves for example,, the thread fiberes you describe can get nasty if you not be very carefully looking for them,,,summer linden is a dream to carve, i did once, unfortunuately here where i live we do have winter linden...

[DiamondWillow]

the german name "linde" comes from the old language german, and means tender and soft

Now I know why my wife calls me "linde"

Gene and even a German descendant at that.

[mark yundt]

I've had the opportunity to carve the wood Doris describes,,,she's right ,,it's amazing,nothing like our basswood. The only problem is I can't get it here. The finest carvings I have seen were done in it.

If anyone thinks "our" Basswood is the same as "their" linden it just aint so. They are light years apart if the wood I have played with is any indication.

[Ashbys]

Thanks Mark.

I have an American Source close to you. I had a project I was thinking about using it. But decided on Mahogany instead, as I didn't want basswood nor limewood if it was bascially the same material. Now I will get some and try it on another project.

Garry