Littleleaf Linden Tilia cordata

The littleleaf linden is a medium-sized broadleaf deciduous tree. It is a member of the Malvaceae family. Many consider it to be the best of all the Lindens. It has been widely planted in the United States as an ornamental shade tree. It has a formal appearance, pyramidal to an oval shape, and offers dense shade. The tree has often been planted inappropriately as a street tree. The result is stunted growth, leaf scorch, and windthrow. Other common names are small leaf lime tree, little-leaf linden, and small-leaved lime. The most common cultivar is 'Greenspire' which is more urban tolerant than any of the other cultivars.

The littleleaf linden is a native of Europe to Western Siberia and Iran. The tree dates back to 760 AD. 

The genus name tilia is Latin for Linden and Lime Tree. It is derived from the Greek word ptelea meaning "Elm tree" or tillai meaning "Black Poplar." The translation means "broad" as in "broad-leaved." The epithet, cordata, is Latin for "heart-shaped."

The tree prefers full sun to partial shade, loamy, moist, and well-drained soils. The tree needs to be watered during dry spells especially if they are very young. At maturity, the tree grows to a height of 50-60 feet and spreads to 50 feet. The tree has a medium growth rate. If the tree is stressed, the growth rate is much slower. It does not tolerate wet conditions, severe drought, pollution, or salt spray. It can tolerate heavy pruning and is alkaline soil tolerant.

Propagation is mostly done by grafting stem cuttings onto rootstock.

The leaves are glossy, alternate, and light to dark green with paler undersides with serrate margins. They have an ovate shape with a cordate base. The fall color is chartreuse. If the tree is under stress, the leaves are sometimes golden yellow. The flowers are fragrant and have creamy yellow clusters that blossom in the summer. The fruit is a small hairy nutlet.

The flowers are rich in nectar and attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. The tree's softwood creates nesting sites for cavity-dwelling birds.

The littleleaf linden has a nice texture and is best used as an ornamental shade tree as a focal point on a lawn. In Europe, the tree is trimmed to form hedges or screens.

Seasons of Interest:

Bark: Winter        Bloom: Summer        Foliage: Spring, Summer, and Fall         Fruit:  Summer

Quick ID Hints:

• leaf color light to the dark green upper surface and a lighter shade beneath
• leaf measures 1.5 to 3 inches long and wide, alternate leaf arrangement, and serrated margins
• creamy-colored clusters with 5-7 flowers per cluster
• small, rounded hairy, tan nutlet late summer
• young bark grayish-brown and furrowed and older bark dark gray, deep furrows, and ridges 

Disease, Insects, and Other Problems: There are no serious insect and disease problems.  Be aware that the Japanese Beetles can skeletonize the foliage. Mature trees have been destroyed by a heavy infestation, and it would be best not to plant these trees in areas that have a heavy infestation of Japanese Beetles. Other insects that may be seen include borers, scale, leaf miners, lace bugs, caterpillars, and aphids. Spider mites can occur in hot and dry weather.

Powdery mildew, leaf spots, and canker are possible. Verticillium Wilt does not occur often, but it can be fatal.