Latin name: Tilia

Origin: Europe

Color: yellow and brown

Stabilized basswood, whose Latin name is Tilia, is basswood that has been treated with a stabilization process to improve its strength and durability. Basswood is a soft, light wood, often appreciated for its ease of working and light color. However, due to its soft nature, basswood can be susceptible to damage, moisture and wear.

The process of stabilizing basswood generally involves the use of resins under vacuum or pressure to penetrate the wood's pores. These resins are then cured, filling the wood's voids and pores, making it stronger and more resistant to impact, moisture and other factors that might otherwise damage it.

The advantages of stabilized basswood are as follows:

• Moisture resistance: Stabilized basswood is less likely to warp or split due to changes in humidity, making it more suitable for use outdoors or in damp environments.
• Durability: The stabilization process improves the strength and durability of basswood, increasing its longevity.
• Ease of working: Despite its greater strength, stabilized basswood remains relatively easy to work with, making it a popular choice for craftsmen.
• Aesthetics: Stabilized basswood retains the natural characteristics of wood, including its light color and patterns, while being strengthened and protected.
• Lightweight: Even after stabilization, basswood remains lightweight, which is advantageous for projects where reduced weight is desired.

Because of its improved strength properties and ease of working, stabilized basswood is used in a variety of craft projects, including knife making, instrument handles, carvings, leather goods and decorative objects. Its appeal lies in its combination of natural beauty, light weight and enhanced strength, making it a popular choice for creative craftsmen.