Gerald L. Klingaman
Family
Tiliaceae
Botanical Name
Tilia cordata
Plant Common Name
Heartleaf Linden, Littleleaf Linden
General Description
Elegant and stately when seen in a park or lining a boulevard, littleleaf linden is a versatile shade and specimen tree for spacious landscapes. A large deciduous tree from Europe and the Caucasus where it is celebrated, it becomes an upright tree with a broad pyramind-like stature. The bark is grayish brown and is ridged and furrowed; its branching is dense and upward reaching.
The dark green leaves are wide ovals that taper to a point. Glossy, the leaf edges are lined in tiny teeth. There are tufts of tiny brown hairs in the leaf axils (area between the leaf stalk and the twig). In midsummer, pendent clusters of fragrant pale yellow flowers occur, attracting nectar-seeking bees in profusion. The pea-sized, whitish tan fruits (nutlets) dangle downward with a finger-like bract (modified leaf) and are showiest in late summer. In fall the foliage becomes a subdued mix of yellows and yellow-green.
Grow littleleaf linden in full to partial sun in a fertile, deep, moist soil that ideally is neutral to alkaline in pH. This species is tolerant of acidy soils as well as air pollution and drought once established. Planted in rows it creates an imposing allée or windbreak and can handle sheering well to become a wall-like hedgerow. It is equally impressive as a parkland specimen when its lowest branches remain and creates a massive gumdrop-shaped effect atop a lawn. Japanese beetles have been known to defoliage this tree.
Several quality cultivars are available of this beautiful tree. Vigorous and cone-shaped is the popular for average home yards is 'Greenspire'. It also is revered for its tolerance of tough urban conditions to bring beautiful shade. Dwarf selections with tight, rounded canopies include 'Lico' and 'Green Globe'. Two trademarked cultivars that are slightly smaller growing and promoted as better choices as neighborhood street trees are 'Corzam' (Corinthian®) and 'Chancole' (Chancellor®).
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
8 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
3 - 7
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Sunset Zone
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
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Plant Type
Tree
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
50'-80' / 15.2m - 24.4m
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Width
30'-45' / 9.1m - 13.7m
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Bloom Time
Summer
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Native To
Europe
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
Light Yellow
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Fruit Color
Gray Green, Sandy Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Yellow Green
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Bark Color
Brown, Gray
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
