Tilia cordata (Littleleaf Linden)
Michael's Opinion
A popular street tree, the Little Leaf Linden is used because of its tolerance to urban situations and its compact form. It can reach heights of 8 m. It does flower and although the flowers are quite small they are produced en masse and can be quite fragrant and attractive. It is a favourite of bees when in full bloom.
Botanical Information
Family | Malvaceae (Tiliaceae) |
Genus | Tilia |
Species | cordata |
Category | Woody |
Type | Tree (deciduous) |
Pronunciation |
Details
USDA Hardiness Zone | 3-7 |
USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
Canadian Hardiness Zone | 3 |
Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
Height | 16 m |
Spread | 8 m |
Growth | Medium |
Flowering Period | June |
Description and Growing Information
General Description | One of the best shade trees. |
ID Characteristic | Has a very narrow dense head. The heart-shaped leaves are graceful and dark green with a medium texture and turn golden-yellow in autumn. Flowers are fragrant and are disease free. |
Shape | Pyramidal. |
Landscape | An excellent shade tree for large areas, lawns, streets, malls, planters and about any place where a real quality tree is desired. |
Notable Specimens | Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Nr Falmouth, Cornwall. |
Bark/Stem Description | Stem is slender and lustrous brown in colour. |
Flower/Leaf Bud Description | Small, about 5 cm long and are brown in colour. |
Leaf Description | Alternate, simple, suborbicular and cordate. Dark green and glabrous and somewhat lustrous above. Glaucous and glabrous beneath. |
Flower Description | Yellowish, fragrant and bloom in late June or early July. |
Fruit Description | Globose nutlet, thin-shelled and is covered with a grey pubescence. |
Colour Description | Foliage is dark shiny green and flowers are creamy-yellow. |
Texture Description | Medium in all seasons. |
Photographs
![](photos/Tilia_cordata.jpg)
![](photos/Tilia cordata leaves and_seed.jpg)
![Tilia cordata, leaf. Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Nr Falmouth, Cornwall. 15/10/2019. Tilia cordata, leaf. Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Nr Falmouth, Cornwall. 15/10/2019.](photos/Tilia-cordata-lf.jpg)
Tilia cordata, leaf. Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Nr Falmouth, Cornwall. 15/10/2019.
![Tilia cordata, bud. Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Nr Falmouth, Cornwall. 15/10/2019. Tilia cordata, bud. Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Nr Falmouth, Cornwall. 15/10/2019.](photos/Tilia-cordata-bd.jpg)
Tilia cordata, bud. Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Nr Falmouth, Cornwall. 15/10/2019.
![Tilia cordata, bark. Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Nr Falmouth, Cornwall. 15/10/2019. Tilia cordata, bark. Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Nr Falmouth, Cornwall. 15/10/2019.](photos/Tilia-cordata-brk.jpg)
Tilia cordata, bark. Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Nr Falmouth, Cornwall. 15/10/2019.
![Tilia cordata 'Glenleven' Tilia cordata 'Glenleven'](photos/Tilia cordata_Glenleven.jpg)
Tilia cordata 'Glenleven'
![Tilia cordata 'De Groot' Tilia cordata 'De Groot'](photos/TcDeGroot.jpg)
Tilia cordata 'De Groot'
![Tilia cordata 'Rancho' Tilia cordata 'Rancho'](photos/TcRancho.jpg)
Tilia cordata 'Rancho'