Tilia tomentosa

The silver linden is a large ornamental deciduous tree that is a member of the Malvaceae family. It is popular as a shade, parkway, street, or specimen tree. It has a broad pyramidal shape with a dense canopy and erect branches. The glossy green foliage with silvery-white undersides is very attractive. Other common names include silver lime, European white, and white lime. Several cultivars are more insect resistant to aphids and Japanese Beetles.

The silver linden is native to southeastern Europe and western Asia.

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 "broad-leaved." The epithet, tomentosa, means "covered with soft-wooly hairs." This references the leaf's undersides. The common names for this genus are linden and lime. 

This tree prefers moist, well-drained, loamy soils, and full to partial sun. They tend to be moderately drought, salt, pollution, urban, and heat tolerant. It will require pruning to develop a strong structure. The tree will also require plenty of room to develop.

Propagation of the silver linden is by seeding, layering, grafting, or chip-budding on proper rootstock. Water regularly after planting. Sprouts should be removed that appear at the base of the tree.

The silver linden grows from 50-70 feet tall and 30-50 feet wide. The leaves are large, coarse, and green with silvery undersides. They are heart-shaped with an oblique base and serrate to dentate margins. Fragrant creamy-white flowers hanging in clusters appear from June to July. The fruits are small nutlets that ripen in late summer. 

The nectar-rich flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies. The fruits do not attract wildlife.

This beautiful ornamental shade tree would add interest to a large lawn, parkway, or urban street.

Seasons of Interest:

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

Quick ID Hints:

• leaf upper surface is glossy green, and the underside is fuzzy silvery-white
• leaf has an oblique base, cordate shape with pointed tips, up to 4 inches long
• creamy to white fragrant flower clusters with 7-10 flowers per cluster
• beneath a downy bract is held a small grayish tan nutlet
• young bark is smooth and light gray to silvery and older bark is ridged

Diseases, Insects, and Other Problems:  There are no serious insects or disease problems. Aphids, borer, walnut lace bugs, caterpillars, leaf miners, scale, and mites are potential problems. The aphids secrete a substance that causes dark soot. The silver linden is reportedly less susceptible to the Japanese Beetles. Diseases such as anthracnose, leaf blight, canker, leaf spots, powdery mildew, and verticillium wilt may be occasional problems.