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Tilia cordata - Littleleaf Linden

Studies into peat preserved pollen grains have proven that Tilia cordata is one of our countries oldest, native trees. Its range spreads across south and midland Britain, large parts of Europe and western Asia. During the 17th and 18th centuries, it was widely planted in avenues and landscapes giving us many magnificent specimens which we still enjoy today.

Tilia cordata is a large tree and has a broad, oval crown. Its leaves are heart-shaped with a serrated edge, dark green on top and bluish-green on the underside. They are hairless apart from the identifying tuft of brown hairs on the leaf vein axil.

In summer, small, cream-white flowers are borne in clusters. They have a strong, sweet scent and are highly attractive to bees and insects.

The hermaphrodite flowers develop into hanging groups of small, round fruits. The flesh coating, downy on the exterior and becoming smooth as it ripens, protects the seed concealed within. Above the cluster is a single ‘wing’ which aids the seeds distribution by wind.

As with most Limes, it is a great tree for pleaching, pollarding or coppicing.

FACT: Tilia cordata Greenspire - A cultivar of Tilia cordata ‘Euclid’, Tilia cordata Greenspire was bred in Boston and introduced in the 1960’s. A consistently uniform habit in comparison to Tilia cordata makes it a popular choice nowadays for urban settings and street planting.

Plant Profile

Height: Tilia cordata approx. 20m+
Tilia c. Greenspire approx. 15m+

Demands: Ideal on a moist, loam, neutral - alkaline soil though is tolerant of many conditions. Very good in urban environments

Foliage: Dark green heart shaped leaves, yellow in autumn.

Flowers: Clusters of small, creamy flowers.

Fruit: Small, round, nut like fruits

Bark: Grey and smooth becoming fissured with age. Young growth is reddish brown

Tilia cordata info sheet

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