Revised

Linden (Tilia spp.)

Medium-sized trees

Linden

 

  • Maximum height
    30 to 60 feet
  • Relative growth rate
    Good
  • Freedom from insect pests
    Good
  • Freedom from disease problems
    Good
  • Resistance to storm damage
    Good
  • Will grow on poorly drained soil
    Poor
  • Will grow in hot, dry areas
    Good
  • Easy to transplant
    Good
  • Withstands city conditions
    Excellent

 

The lindens as a group are some of our best shade trees. Their small flowers produced in early summer are not especially ornamental, but they are highly fragrant. The small, round seed is born on an interesting leafy bract that hangs on the tree well into the winter. Of the seven species of linden grown in this country, the little-leaved linden (Tilia cordata) is the most commonly available. The leaves of this species remain green on the tree long after other trees have shed theirs. Lindens have few insect or disease pests.

Improved varieties of linden include 'Green-spire,' a straight-trunked tree that rapidly grows into a narrow oval form; 'Chancellor,' with a narrow, compact, upright growth habit; and 'Redmond,' a densely pyramidal tree.