#54
Accession Number: 0054-0000
Common Name: Littleleaf Linden
Latin Name: Tilia cordata
Family: Malvaceae (Mallow Family)
Native Range: Europe, southwestern Asia
Height: 50–70 feet
Spread: 35–50 feet
Bloom Time: June
Bloom Description: Pale yellow
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3
Light Preference: Full sun to part shade
Water Needs: Medium
Notes: Works well as a shade tree, a street tree, a flowering tree; fruit is showy; attracts butterflies; tolerates drought
Description: Littleleaf Linden is a European native that has become a popular and widely planted ornamental shade tree in the US. The fragrant, pale yellow flowers in late spring, which are very attractive to bees, are followed by small, round “nutlets,” which ripen by late summer. Like American Linden (Tilia americana), it is a medium to large deciduous tree, although Littleleaf Linden is much more tolerant of urban conditions than its native counterpart. Many consider this species the best linden for landscape use. It also tolerates heavy pruning and can be used as a hedge or screen.
