TreeRM

Small-leaved lime

Tilia cordata 路 Malvaceae 路 also Small-leaved linden, Littleleaf linden

A stately tree of more than 20 m with heart-shaped leaves and fragrant yellow-green July flowers that hum with bees. Small-leaved lime is an indicator of ancient woodland in England and is long-lived, coppicing and pollarding well. Compact cultivars are among the most planted street and avenue trees in Britain and northern Europe.

Broadleaf, loses its leaves in winterMedium growthSun or part shadeModerate water
Small-leaved lime
Wikimedia Commons, file Tilia-cordata2.JPG (see file page for author and licence)

Where it stands

Native

This tree evolved here, and local wildlife depends on it.

  • 馃嚛馃嚜 Germanysource
  • 馃嚝馃嚪 Francesource
  • 馃嚞馃嚙 ENG, United Kingdom 路 Native mainly in England and Wales; an ancient woodland indicatorsource
  • 馃嚞馃嚙 WLS, United Kingdomsource
  • 馃嚨馃嚤 Polandsource

Adapted

Introduced, but it handles this climate and has not shown a habit of spreading.

  • 馃嚚馃嚘 Canada 路 Widely planted in southern Canadian cities; USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced in Canada.source
  • 馃嚠馃嚜 Ireland 路 Not native to Ireland; widely plantedsource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 United States 路 Introduced; a common street tree in the Northeast, Midwest and Pacific Northwest, zones 3 to 7. USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced.source

Recommended

A city, utility or extension service lists it among the trees it approves for planting here.

  • 馃嚚馃嚘 Toronto, ON, Canada 路 'Glenleven' littleleaf linden is on Toronto's list of species planted on streets (now usually classed as Tilia 脳 flavescens).source
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 Sacramento, CA, United States 路 On the Sacramento Tree Foundation Shady 80 recommended trees listsource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 Denver, CO, United States 路 On the Denver Office of the City Forester Approved Street Tree Listsource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 Boston, MA, United States 路 On the City of Boston Urban Forestry Division recommended public street trees listsource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 New York, NY, United States 路 On the NYC Parks Street Tree Planting Approved Species Listsource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 Portland, OR, United States 路 'Greenspire' littleleaf linden is on Portland's list for 6.0 to 8.4 ft planting strips.source

Care

Plant bare-root in winter and water through the first two summers. Prune or pollard in winter; it tolerates hard cutting. Aphid honeydew drips onto cars beneath; nail gall mites disfigure leaves harmlessly. Occasional root rot, bleeding canker or wilt can be fatal.

Benefits

PollinatorsShadeWildlifeLong livedFall color

Good for

Street treeparksYard shadeHedgerowTimber

Watch out for

Heavy litter