Largeleaf Linden Tilia platyphyllos

Bigleaf linden is a large ornamental deciduous broadleaf tree that is a member of the Malvaceae (mallow) family. It is known for its big hairy stems and leaves.  Bigleaf linden is native of central, southern Europe, and southwestern Asia. The tree has a smaller range than the small leaf linden and is found in lowlands and lower hills. The genus name, tilia, is Latin for Linden or Lime Tree. It is derived from the Greek word ptelea or "Elm tree" and tillai or "Black Poplar." The translation means "broad" or perhaps "broadleaved." The species name, platyphyllos, is the combination of two Greek words. Playts means "broad," and phyllon means "leaf." Bigleaf linden is one of the parents of the hybrid, Tilia x europea, which is used frequently as a street tree.

The tree typically grows 60 to 80 feet tall and 30-50 feet wide with a dense pyramidal form.  The leaves are green, heart-shaped, hairy, serrated, and up to 5 inches long. The undersides of the leaves are a lighter green, and the veins have tufts of white hair. The fall foliage is yellow. The fragrant flowers are pale yellow and form cymes about 3-4 inches long. The fruit is a gray nutlet. The stems are usually reddish-brown and hairy.

Plant in full sun to partial shade in alkaline, loamy, well-drained soils. It has a good drought and salt spray tolerance. It is also very tolerant of heavy pruning and may be grown as a hedge. There is very limited information about the propagation of this species. Reportedly, young shoots may be transplanted. Propagation by seeds may be challenging.

The nectar of the showy flowers attracts butterflies, bees, wasps, moths, and flies. bigleaf linden is frequently found in parks and gardens and is used for shade, lawn, or as a street tree. They have been many cultivated forms, but it has few commercially available.

Quick ID Hints:

• Leaves upper surface medium to dark green and undersides light green with tufts of white hairs along the veins
• Leaves cordate with pointed tips, and about 5 inches long
• Creamy yellow flowers arranged in clusters
• Fruit small gray, oval, ribbed nutlet
• Young bark gray smooth and older bark fissured

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Borers, scale, leafminer, lace bugs, caterpillars, aphids, and Japanese beetles may be seen. Spider mites may occur in extremely hot and dry periods. Diseases such as powdery mildew, leaf spots, sooty mold, and canker can occur. Verticillium wilt does not occur frequently but can be fatal.