American Linden
Tilia americana · Deciduous Broadleaf Hardwood
Plant Family
Malvaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree / Flowering Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Common species variety (Tilia americana var. americana)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8.
About This Tree
A large, stately tree with a dense, symmetrical, ovate to rounded crown. Known for its straight trunk and many slender, spreading branches. It grows at a medium rate and produces fragrant clusters of yellowish flowers hanging from leafy bracts.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate, heart-shaped (cordate) with asymmetrical bases. Length is 4-8 inches. Leaves feature coarsely serrated margins, dark green upper surfaces, and pale green undersides. They turn a distinctive yellow-green to gold in autumn.
Bark Characteristics
Grey to brown. Young bark is smooth, while mature bark develops long, narrow, flat-topped ridges with deep parallel furrows that run vertically along the trunk.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Central and Eastern North America; native from New Brunswick to Manitoba and south to Texas.
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-spring; flowers bloom in late spring/early summer (June); fruits mature in autumn; deciduous dormancy in winter.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers Full Sun to Partial Shade. Requires moist, well-drained, deep fertile soils. Moderate drought tolerance once established, but prefers consistent moisture.
Mature Size
Reaches 60-80 feet in height with a spread of 30-60 feet. Growth rate is approximately 1-2 feet per year with a lifespan of 100-200 years.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade producer; flowers are highly valued for 'Linden Honey'; soft wood is a favorite for woodcarving (basswood). Tolerates alkaline soils and urban pollution relatively well.
Wildlife & Ecology
Critical for pollinators like honeybees and bumblebees; the seeds (nutlets) and buds are eaten by squirrels, mice, and rabbits; provide nesting sites for songbirds and hollows for cavity-nesting species in old age.