Stained specimens are often excellent candidates for Hoffman modulation contrast microscopy, yielding beautiful images that are rendered in color with a pseudo three-dimensional appearance. The photomicrograph below illustrates a stained thin section of a basswood tree under Hoffman modulation contrast illumination.

The American Basswood is one of the most treasured ornamental trees, having a tall, straight trunk and rounded crown. In the summer, basswood flowers bloom and fill the air with their fragrance as they attract bees to aid in pollination. Basswood is a hardwood that is well-suited for growth in rich and fertile soils of the Northeast United States.