Basswood leaves ...large leaf Linden

Looks like a nice part of future woodland developements.

They look huge !

This leaf was the size of a platter, Amy! It is by the side of our road where the township cut back all the growth.
I love these trees they are majestic. We have two which stand near the property line on the north-west corner. They must be 80-100 ft tall. Huge. The town nearest us has planted the little leaf lindens down their main street for summer shade. In the late spring the town smells delightful when they blossom. Been trying to find Linden tea at the specialty stores in town as well...not having any luck.

I guess this is different from the African linden (Sparmannia africana) I'm so used to seeing.

Sorry D1, have to admit...I don't know. The Linden I know of is European in origin, and in England, I think they are referred to as Limes...The flowers of the lindens have been used to make a calming, sweet scented tea for eons. found some in a tea specialty shop about 2 yrs ago but haven't been able to locate any since. Will search the Sparmannia and report..:-)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilia

I looked it up. It's definitely not the same as African Linden!

African Linden is native to the higher elevations of the tropics. It's a very tender shrub. I thought maybe it was grown there as an annual.

Yes the basswoods/lindens would really be amazing growers if they could grow to 50-80 ft. tall in a single season!!!!
Botanically it is: Tilia americanus...one of the most majestic trees in our mixed forest.