Tilia tomentosa aka Hungarian Silver Linden

Tilia tomentosa is a deciduous tree called silver linden. Other names include silver lime and European white lime. It belongs to the mallow family, Malvaceae. Its native range covers southeastern Europe and western Asia. This large tree suits parks, streets, and spacious gardens. Its dense crown gives shade on lawns and roadsides.

Garden trees often reach 50–70 feet [15.2–21.3 metres] tall. Their crowns spread 30–50 feet [9.1–15.2 metres] wide. UConn gives a smaller height of 30–40 feet [9.1–12.2 metres]. RHS reports trees reaching 98 feet [30 metres]. The crown forms a broad pyramid or rounded outline. Upright branches may droop at their tips. Growth is fast, and shoots can sprout near the base. Young bark is smooth and pale gray. Older bark develops ridges, while young shoots carry soft hairs.

The simple leaves grow in an alternate pattern. Each has a heart-shaped base and a pointed tip. Sharp teeth line the edges of the rounded blades. Their upper faces are dark green and glossy. Dense pale hairs give the undersides a silver look. Wind exposes these pale surfaces within the green crown. Leaves turn yellow or yellow-green before they fall. Small cream or pale yellow flowers hang in fragrant clusters. Each cluster holds about seven to ten blooms. A long, narrow bract grows beside each cluster. Flowers open around June and July and attract bees and butterflies. Small, gray-tan nutlets ripen in late summer beneath hairy bracts.

Give this tree sun or light shade and ample room. It prefers moist, fertile soil that drains well. It accepts several soil types and a broad pH range. Shelter from cold winds suits it. Water new trees often, and remove shoots near the base. Pruning helps build a sound branch structure. Established trees tolerate some drought, heat, salt, and air pollution. Sources place it in USDA zones 4–8 or 5–8. RHS rates its UK hardiness as H6.

Serious pest and disease trouble is not usual. Aphids, beetles, scale, mites, and leaf miners may occur. Possible diseases include mildew, canker, wilt, and root rot. PFAF lists young leaves as food, raw or cooked. Flowers provide tea, and fruits and flowers have food uses. Inner bark supplies fibre for cloth and other goods. PFAF warns that flowers may harm bumblebees. Oregon State also reports a narcotic effect on bees.