Littleleaf Linden
Tilia cordata · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Malvaceae (formerly Tiliaceae)
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Ornamental, Street Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Not specific; likely the straight species or a common cultivar like 'Greenspire'.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 7; very cold-hardy and adaptable to urban environments.
About This Tree
A medium to large tree with a dense, symmetrical pyramidal to oval crown. Branching is notably dense, with lower branches often drooping towards the ground. It is valued for its neat habit and fragrant blossoms.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, heart-shaped (cordate) leaves with asymmetrical bases; small size (2-4 inches); finely serrated margins; dark green upper surface with pale green undersides; alternate arrangement; turns pale yellow in autumn.
Bark Characteristics
Young bark is smooth and grayish-brown; matures into a dark gray-brown with narrow, shallow furrows and scaly ridges with a somewhat stringy appearance.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and Western Asia; widely naturalized in North America.
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-spring; tiny fragrant yellow flowers bloom in early summer (June/July); fruits ripen in late summer; dormant in winter.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers moist, well-drained loamy soils; moderate drought tolerance once established but prefers consistent moisture.
Mature Size
Reaches 50-70 feet in height with a spread of 35-50 feet; moderate growth rate; can live for several centuries.
Special Characteristics
High pollution and salt tolerance; produces 'Linden honey' from fragrant flowers; fruit is attached to a distinctive leaf-like wing (bract) for wind dispersal.
Wildlife & Ecology
Extremely high value for pollinators, particularly honeybees and bumblebees; provides nesting sites for birds; leaves are a food source for numerous moth larvae.