Littleleaf Linden

Littleleaf linden is the European counterpart, a more refined, smaller-leaved version of American linden that has become one of the most widely planted street and park trees in the temperate world. The small, heart-shaped leaves are tidier than American linden's, the form is more uniformly pyramidal, and the fragrant yellow flowers in June carry the same honey-sweet scent. It grows fifty to seventy feet with a dense, pyramidal to oval crown. Native across Europe.

In Western Washington, littleleaf linden is one of the best large shade trees for streets, parks, and residential properties. It tolerates urban conditions, compacted soil, and moderate drought. 'Greenspire' is the standard street tree cultivar, symmetrical, upright, and well-branched. The June flowers attract bees in enormous numbers, which is either a benefit or a concern depending on whether the tree overhangs outdoor dining areas. Aphids and honeydew are the primary nuisance. For a formal, fragrant, long-lived shade tree that fits both street and residential applications, littleleaf linden is one of the most reliable large trees in the regional palette.