American linden.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Deciduous tree

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

60 to 80 feet

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 3 to 8

Bloom time

Early to mid summer

Care

Plant this tree in a spot with plenty of room for its large root system to spread. Keep an eye out for leaf scorch during hot, dry spells and provide extra water if needed. Mulching around the base helps retain moisture and keeps the roots cool.

Watering

Young trees need consistent moisture until they are well established in the ground.

Feeding

Apply a balanced slow release fertilizer in early spring before new growth begins.

Pruning

Prune during the dormant winter season to remove dead or crossing branches.

Repotting

This is a large landscape tree that is not suitable for container cultivation.

Soil

Moist, well drained, fertile soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

-35 to 35°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Safety

People

This tree is generally considered non-toxic to humans.

Children

The small, hard nutlets may pose a choking hazard if ingested by small children.

Contact allergens

The leaves and bark do not typically cause skin irritation.

Airborne allergens

The pollen can cause mild seasonal allergies for sensitive individuals during the bloom period.

Edibility

While the flowers are often used for tea, ensure they are harvested from areas free of chemical sprays.

How to identify it

• Heart shaped serrated leaves
• Fragrant pale yellow flowers
• Grayish brown furrowed bark
• Small round nutlike fruits

Height

15 to 25m

Spread

10 to 15m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

yellow, white, 1 to 2cm

Fruit

brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

• Aphids · These insects feed on sap and often leave behind sticky honeydew.
• Leaf spot · Fungal infections can cause dark spots on foliage during wet seasons.

Growing it

Propagation

seed, cuttings

When to plant

spring, autumn

Plant shade-tolerant woodland perennials beneath the canopy to mimic a natural forest floor.

Grows well with

• Sugar Maple · They share similar soil and moisture requirements in woodland settings.
• Wild Ginger · It makes a great groundcover under the canopy of large trees.

Similar species

• Littleleaf Linden · It is a smaller, more common landscape alternative with smaller leaves.

Science

Family

Malvaceae

Genus

Tilia

Order

Malvales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Eastern and central North America.

Conservation

It is not currently listed as endangered or threatened in its native range.

It thrives in rich, moist soils and often grows in mixed hardwood forests.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, larval host plant

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

shade tree, honey production, woodworking, medicinal tea

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How fast does it grow?

It is considered a moderate to fast grower under good conditions.

Can I plant it near my house?

It is best to plant it at least 6 meters away from structures due to its large size.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Tilia is the Latin word for the linden tree, while americana denotes its native status in the Americas.

Good to know

• The flowers are highly fragrant and attract massive numbers of bees.
• It is often called the bee tree because of its importance to honey production.
• The inner bark was historically used by indigenous peoples to make rope and cordage.