Tilia Species, Littleleaf Linden, Little-Leaf Linden, Small Leaved Lime

This is a graceful tree that beekeepers covet. And although our climate (zone 7a) is on the hot side, it will grow here. At least two wer...Read Moree planted by Jefferson at Monticello, and are still there today. At maturity, their branches droop down and sometimes touch the ground. Their fragrant flowers and beautiful form convinced me to plant a couple as showcase trees, even if they are very slow growing and won't be appreciated for many years to come. They started out well, but the leaves were devoured by Japanese beetles over summer. One that was planted away from grass (home to Japanese beetle larvae), managed to keep some leaves. They actually did better than a related native species, the American Basswood. But I don't expect any them to rebound well, much less thrive.

It is a handsome shade tree from much of Europe. It is commonly planted in the Midwest and East USA, especially by the directive of lands...Read Morecape architects around public facilities, though most are now not the mother species but cultivars as "Greenspire', 'Chancelor', and 'June Bride.' Europe has the largest number of linden species and they are more refined than the American Linden or White Basswood, but I being partial to the native plant movement like the American species best.

This adaptable and pollution-tolerant species is commonly planted as a shade tree.

The June flowers are not showy but per...Read Morefume the air for about two weeks, and are very attractive to honeybees and other pollinators. The French traditionally use them dried as an herbal tea. The pollen is moderately allergenic.

This tree is easy to shape and takes well to shearing and pollarding. For centuries, it has been popular in Europe for estates, parks, and allees, and also commonly used there as a hedge.

In Europe, mature trees can reach 80-90'. I rarely see it reach half that here in Massachusetts.

This tree is commonly afflicted with a species of aphid, which excretes a rain of sticky honeydew on everything below, including benches and windshields. The fallen honeydew usually turns black with sooty mold. Systemic insecticides can be used to control the insects but also take a toll on honeybees and other pollinators. This is the only linden (out of about 30 species) that's afflicted by the aphid and has the honeydew/black mold problem.

This species also commonly produces tremendous numbers of suckers from the base of the trunk, requiring frequent maintenance and eventually producing large disfiguring burls. It is the only linden species that suckers so readily.

This is one of the most commonly planted street trees in the northeast. I see many here that are stunted and half-dead. Perhaps it's the stingy tree pits they're given.

According to Dirr, this species suffers in the hot summers of southeastern US. It does better there with protection from afternoon sun. It rarely prospers south of Z7.

There are many cultivars. To my eye, they're all much alike.

This is a beautiful tree because it reflects all of the seasons with their various changes. However, it is a demanding tree if you have ...Read Moreit on or near your property. It releases sap during the summer months and leaves a sticky veil upon anything underneath. During the early spring, there are droppings from the tree which I call, for lack of a better word, grape nuts. These will cling to your shoes and deposit in your entry way. During the fall, there are little droppings, as well. The fragrance of the blossoms in the spring is lovely and sublime, but this tree is high maintenance if there is one near you. Our city has planted many of them at the curbside and one is on our property. So we must take the good along with the bad.