Littleleaf Linden—Loved by Bees

By Susan Camp

In last week’s “Gardening Corner,” I wrote about a weeping Higan cherry (Prunus subhirtella ‘Pendula”) that is struggling, most likely because it is too closely located to several other trees that block its access to sunlight. Two of the guilty trees are littleleaf lindens (Tilia cordata), members of the Malvaceae or mallow family and native to Europe and southwestern Asia. Littleleaf lindens also are called small-leaved lindens. In Britain, they are known as lime trees, although they aren’t related to the citrus tree and fruit that bear the same name. Several other species of linden exist.

Three littleleaf lindens were planted on our property by the previous owners more than 30 years ago. They have a good chance to live several hundred years if they escape severe disease, insect infestation, or environmental changes. In fact, longevity may be one of the reasons lindens were planted along streets and avenues in European, and later, American cities. Lindens also make reliable city trees because they tolerate poor or compacted soil and air pollution. In addition, the trees withstand occasional drought conditions, although leaf margins may scorch in prolonged heat. Newly planted trees should be watered regularly during the first years.

Littleleaf lindens grow in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 7 and don’t perform as well in warmer zones. The trees prefer full sun to part shade in average sandy soil or loam with a pH of 4.5 to 8.2, which means they will tolerate acidic to mildly alkaline soil. Lindens can be transplanted with little or no adverse effects.

Littleleaf lindens make excellent ornamental and shade trees. At maturity, a littleleaf linden will reach 40 to 60 feet in height with a spread of 30 to 40 feet in a pyramidal or oval shape with low, densely-leaved branches that tolerate heavy pruning, although pruning rarely is required. The slightly asymmetrical, toothed, heart-shaped leaves are a glossy green during the summer, changing to an unremarkable yellow in the fall.

The description of littleleaf lindens sounds boring so far, right? Wait until April, when the trees bud out in soft, green leaves. In June, tiny, creamy white to pale yellow flower clusters appear. Each cluster, or cyme, bears a single terminal blossom that opens first. The other flowers in each cluster develop on lateral stems.

The real treat is the sweet fragrance that envelops each tree and attracts masses of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The humming can be heard for many feet, and the tree canopies sway with the movement of the bees. After several weeks, the flowers fade and small, hairy, round nutlets appear, accompanied by long, light green bracts. Birds and small animals eat the nutlets. Linden honey is said to be exceptionally flavorful and good for the immune system. A fragrant herbal tea called “Tilleul” is brewed from the flowers and drunk as a spring tonic in Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe. Tilia flowers are used in the perfume industry.

Few diseases and insect pests seriously affect littleleaf lindens. Sooty mold, powdery mildew, leaf spot, and canker may be seen, but cause little permanent damage. Verticillium wilt occurs rarely, but can be fatal. Aphids, Japanese beetles, scale insects, leaf miners, and lace bugs may attack lindens, but usually don’t cause serious or lasting problems. Borers and twig girdlers can damage twigs and branches.

The article on littleleaf linden from the Arbor Day Foundation noted that in Germanic and Norse folklore, women would hang offerings in linden trees to promote fertility. In Scandinavia, linden trees were avoided after dark because fairies and elves were said to haunt them.

‘Greenspire’ and ‘Chancellor’ are popular cultivars that reach about 50 feet in height. ‘Shamrock’ is similar in height, but has a more open crown.

See VCE Publication 2901-1055 “Littleleaf Linden (Tilia cordata)”; North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox entry “Tilia cordata”; Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder entry “Tilia cordata”; and The Morton Arboretum entry “Little-leaved linden” for more information about this attractive, easy-care tree.

August 27, 2020