Tilia cordata aka Linden

Tilia cordata belongs to the mallow family, Malvaceae. This deciduous tree sheds its leaves each year. Its names include littleleaf linden and small-leaved lime. It is native to Europe, central Siberia, and northern Iran. It also grows wild in Britain. Garden trees often reach 50–70 feet [15–21 metres]. Some reach 80–90 feet [24–27 metres]. The crown can spread to 50 feet [15 metres]. Young trees have a dense pyramid shape and upright branches. With age, the crown grows wider and more round.

Young bark is gray-brown and has shallow grooves. Old trunks turn dark gray and form deep ridges. Smooth twigs are reddish-brown and bend in a slight zigzag. Their oval buds shine. The leaves have a heart shape and fine edge teeth. They grow in turn on each side of the twigs. Their green top sides shine; the lower sides are paler. Leaves turn yellow or yellow-green, then fall in autumn.

Small, cream-yellow flowers have a sweet scent. They hang in groups below a long, narrow bract. This is a leaf-like part. Most accounts place bloom in late June and early July. Chicago also lists May to June as the bloom season. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds visit the flowers for their rich nectar. Small, round nutlets form in late summer. These hairy fruits turn from pale green to tan. Birds that nest in holes find sites in the soft wood.

Grow this tree in sun or light shade. It prefers moist, deep soil that drains well. It accepts clay, sand, loam, and chalk at varied pH levels. Young trees need water in dry spells. Avoid ground soaked with water; give shelter from cold winds. Sources differ on how well it copes with drought and pollution. Chicago lists USDA zones 3–7. RHS gives the UK rating H6. Its size suits parks and large gardens. It casts dense shade and can form hedges or screens. It tolerates coppicing, which cuts stems near the ground. It accepts pollarding, which cuts back the upper branches. It also accepts pleaching, which trains branches into a linked frame.

Japanese beetles can strip leaves and cause severe harm. Aphids, scale, caterpillars, and mites may also attack it. It may get mildew, leaf spots, canker, or root rot. Rare cases of verticillium wilt can kill the tree. Young leaves and spring sap have food uses. Flowers make tea. Flowers and unripe fruit have served in place of chocolate. PFAF warns that old flowers may cause narcotic-like effects. It records past uses as medicine, not proof of benefit. The inner bark yields fibre. The soft wood suits carving.