Digging deeperPlant Library

Other Names:  Littleleaf Linden, Lime, Smallleaf Lime

Description:

A magnificent shade tree with a strong, spire-like shape throughout its life; fragrant yellow flowers in early summer when few trees bloom; very tidy and low maintenance, adaptable, makes an excellent lawn or street specimen, great by a pool or deck

Ornamental Features

Greenspire Linden is primarily valued in the landscape for its distinctively pyramidal habit of growth. It features subtle clusters of fragrant yellow flowers with tan bracts hanging below the branches in mid summer. It has dark green deciduous foliage. The heart-shaped leaves turn an outstanding gold in the fall.

Landscape Attributes

Greenspire Linden is a dense deciduous tree with a strong central leader and a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds and bees to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Greenspire Linden is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Shade
• Vertical Accent

Planting & Growing

Greenspire Linden will grow to be about 45 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 30 feet. It has a high canopy with a typical clearance of 6 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. As it matures, the lower branches of this tree can be strategically removed to create a high enough canopy to support unobstructed human traffic underneath. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 70 years or more.

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.