Visit Bawaajigan - To Dream
by Artist Jared Tait
Visit our 2025 Downtown Haliburton Sculpture Exhibition!
Join us on Tuesdays in July and August for a free guided walking tour in the Haliburton Sculpture Forest. Tours begin at the kiosk at 297 College Drive in Haliburton at 10:00am. We look forward to seeing you!
American Basswood
Ojibwe Name:
wiigobimizh
Scientific Name:
Tillia americana
Significance in Ojibwe Cultures:
American basswood fibres are used for tying wild rice stalks before harvest.
How to Identify the Leaves:
"Basswood has large, heart-shaped leaves with toothed edges and a short point. The twigs have a noticeable zigzag appearance. The fragrant yellow flowers and round grayish-brown fruit hang from the centre of a leaf-like bract. When released, the bract acts like a helicopter wing and carries the seeds away in a breeze. The bark is gray-brown with long narrow ridges."

Sources:
Translation: https://ojibwe.lib.umn.edu/main-entry/wiigobimizh-na
Significance in Ojibwe Cultures: https://ojibwe.lib.umn.edu/collection/basswood-fiber
How to Identify Tree: https://www.ontario.ca/page/basswood