Littleleaf Linden
Tilia cordata · Deciduous Broadleaf Hardwood
Plant Family
Malvaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree / Flowering Ornamental / Street Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species (common cultivars include Greenspire)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3-7; very cold hardy and adaptable to various soil pH levels.
About This Tree
A medium to large shade tree with a dense, symmetrical, pyramidal to oval crown. It features heart-shaped leaves and fragrant clusters of yellow flowers known for attracting bees.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, heart-shaped (cordate) leaves; 2-4 inches long; unequal at the base; dark green above and silvery-green below; finely serrated margins; alternate arrangement; turns yellow in fall.
Bark Characteristics
Gray-brown and relatively smooth when young; develops shallow, narrow ridges and long, thin, plate-like furrows as it matures.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and Western Asia; widely adapted to North America.
Growing Season
Buds break in mid-spring; flowers in early summer (June/July); stays green late into autumn before turning yellow and entering dormancy.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun to partial shade; requires moist, well-drained soil; moderate drought tolerance once established; sensitive to extreme salt spray.
Mature Size
Mature height of 50-70 feet with a spread of 35-50 feet; moderate growth rate; can live 70-150 years in urban settings.
Special Characteristics
Excellent urban tolerance for pollution and compaction; exceptionally fragrant flowers; medicinal uses (Linden tea); historically a symbol of justice and peace.
Wildlife & Ecology
Highly valued by pollinators, especially honeybees and bumblebees (Linden Honey); provide nesting sites for songbirds; seeds are occasionally eaten by small mammals.