Little-leaved linden is a great shade tree for lawns or parkway plantings in urban settings due to its ability to withstand polluted environments. It has shiny dark green leaves that turn a clear yellow in fall, and in summer it has dangling, fragrant pale yellow flowers. This tree is prone to attack by Japanese beetles.
More Information
Native Geographic Location and Habitat
This tree is native to Europe.
Bark Description
Bark is gray-brown. It is smooth on young trunks and ages to a ridged and furrowed appearance.
Leaf Description
The simple, alternate leaves are 1 ½ to 3 inches long and wide, heart-shaped with an uneven base. Leaves are medium green in summer changing to clear yellow in fall.
Flower Description
Creamy yellow flowers in hanging clusters of 5 to 7 flowers bloom in early summer. Each cluster is accompanied by a long, strap-shaped bract and is very fragrant.
Fruit Description
Fruits are small, slightly hairy, round nutlets, accompanied by a long strap-like bract.
Care Knowledge
Plant Care
This species benefits from a mulch layer to maintain a cool root environment.
Pests, Diseases, and Tolerances
Aphids and Japanese beetles can be a problem for this tree. It is tolerant of pollution.
Cultivars
Chancellor little-leaved linden (Tilia cordata ‘Chancellor’):
This cultivar is more compact than the species, growing to 50 feet tall rather than 70 feet. The habit is upright in youth and more pyramidal when mature.
Cornithian® little-leaved linden (Tilia cordata ‘Corzam’):
This cultivar is a narrow pyramidal shape formed by a straight central trunk and evenly spaced branching. It reaches 45 feet high by 15 feet wide.
Greenspire little-leaved linden (Tilia cordata ‘Greenspire’):
This cultivar also grows shorter than the species, maturing at 50 feet tall. The habit is a neat pyramidal shape with a central leader.
Glenleven linden (Tilia cordata ‘Glenleven’):
This is now classified as Tilia x flavescens ‘Glenleven’. It is a faster growing cultivar with a straight trunk and more open habit.
Shamrock® little-leaved linden (Tilia cordata ‘Baileyi’):
Similar to ‘Greenspire’, but with a more open crown. It grows 50 feet high by 30 feet wide.
Summer Sprite® little-leaved linden (Tilia cordata ‘Halka’):
This compact cultivar with rounded shape grows 20 feet high by 15 feet wide.
