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Tilia cordata
little‑leaf linden
Europe — from the British Isles to western Russia; mesic woodlands, hedgerows, and forest edgesLearn more
Overview
Tilia cordata is little-leaf linden (small-leaved lime), a large upright deciduous tree growing 40-60 feet (12-18 m) tall and 25-40 feet (7.5-12 m) wide with a dense pyramidal to rounded crown. Pale yellow tiny fragrant flowers in pendant cymes of 5-10 attached to a strap-shaped bract 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) in June-July. Moderately fragrant (sweet honey-like). Dark glossy green heart-shaped alternate finely serrated leaves 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) — much smaller than T. americana (4-8 inches / 10-20 cm), with blue-green undersides showing tufts of rusty hairs in the vein axils. Cordata = heart-shaped. Turns yellow in fall. In Malvaceae. Native to Europe. Widely planted as a street tree — over 500 cultivars. Common cultivars: 'Greenspire' (pyramidal, most widely planted), 'Glenleven' (faster-growing, open crown). Aphids feed on the foliage and excrete sticky honeydew that coats surfaces beneath the canopy — this honeydew drip is the primary limitation when planted over sidewalks, cars, or patios. Japanese beetles in eastern North America. Not drought-tolerant — leaf scorch in dry hot conditions. Tolerates alkaline soil (pH to 8.0) and light clay. Deer browse. Non-toxic. Zones 3-7. Full sun to partial shade. Growth rate is moderate.
Native Range
Native to Europe — from the British Isles to western Russia. Found in mesic woodlands, hedgerows, and forest edges.Suggested Uses
Grown as a shade tree, street tree, and formal pleached screen spaced 25-40 feet (7.5-12 m). Dense pyramidal to rounded crown. Avoid planting over parking (aphid honeydew). 'Greenspire' is the most widely planted cultivar. Non-toxic. Zones 3-7.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height40' - 60'
Width/Spread25' - 40'
Reaches mature size in approximately 25 years
Bloom Information
Early to midsummer (June-July). Pale yellow tiny flowers in pendant cymes of 5-10 attached to a strap-shaped bract 2-3 inches (5-7 cm). Moderately fragrant (honey-like). 3 weeks. Valued honeybee nectar source. Nutlets with bract follow.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Pale yellow, tiny, fragrant, in pendant cymes of 5-10 flowers attached to a strap-shaped bract 2-3 inches (5-7 cm); moderately fragrant (sweet honey-like scent)Foliage Description
Dark glossy green above, blue-green beneath with tufts of rusty hairs in the vein axils; simple, heart-shaped (cordate), alternate, 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) — much smaller than T. americana (4-8 inches / 10-20 cm); finely serrated; turns yellow in fallGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Full sun to partial shade (4-12 hours). Well-drained soil pH 5.5-8.0 — tolerates alkaline and light clay. Not drought-tolerant — leaf scorch in dry conditions. Aphid honeydew coats surfaces below the canopy — avoid planting over parking areas. Japanese beetles. Prune in winter (January-February). Deer browse. Non-toxic. Zones 3-7.Pruning
Prune in winter (January-February). Develop a single central leader when young. Remove dead, crossing, or weak-angled branches. The dense pyramidal to rounded crown is natural — tolerates formal shearing for pleaching or hedge screens.Pruning Schedule
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winter