Native Americans made thread and tangle-free rope from the inner bark, and even stitched wounds with the thread. The Iroquois used the sapwood to carve elaborate masks. Basswood has become a desirable wood for carving artifacts, musical instruments, and hunting decoys. Today, we still use the excellent quality wood to make mats, fishnets, cords, coarse cloths, and shoes. Products made from the soft, pale, lightweight, and straight-grained wood include wooden dishware, cabinets, paper, drawing boards, furniture, plywood, interior trim, and piano soundboards. It is commonly planted as a shade tree in urban areas.