Tilia

The genus Linden (Tilia) includes about 50 species of deciduous, 15-25 m high, ornamental trees. The bark on young plants is smooth, gray-brown, on old ones - deeply cracked. The crown is spherical or pyramidal, densely leafy. Leaves are regular large round-heart-shaped toothed petiolate. The flowers are bisexual, small white or yellowish, fragrant, collected in corymbose inflorescences with a pedicel wrapped in a bract, which gave the genus its name (in Ancient Greek "ptilon" - "wing"), and are widely used in folk medicine. Linden is an excellent honey-bearing crop. The fruit is a nut. The heart-shaped linden (Tilia cordata) is a tree with a wide spreading crown. Ovate-heart-shaped leaves, dark green and glossy on the upper side, lighter and with brownish hairs on the lower side. The flowers bloom in July. At the base of the plant trunk, a growth is formed. Large-leaved linden (T. platyphyllos) has heart-shaped leaves with whitish hairs along the veins on the underside. Flowers appear in June-July. European linden (Tilia x europaea) is a hybrid of heart-shaped linden and large-leaved linden. This is a tall, lush tree with large, smooth leaves on the underside. Felt linden, or fluffy linden (T. tomentosa), differs from other linden species by densely pubescent young shoots. The leaves are glabrous on top and felty-pubescent on the bottom. In July and August, the flowers bloom. Very decorative tree, widely used in landscaping. American linden (T. americana) with very large decorative leaves is also bred. Begonifolia linden forms hybrids with other species (small-leaved linden and European linden).

The genus Linden (Tilia) includes about 50 species of deciduous, 15-25 m high, ornamental trees. The bark on young plants is smooth, gray-brown, on old ones - deeply cracked. The crown is spherical or pyramidal, densely leafy. Leaves are regular large round-heart-shaped toothed petiolate. The flowers are bisexual, small white or yellowish, fragrant, collected in corymbose inflorescences with a pedicel wrapped in a bract, which gave the genus its name (in Ancient Greek "ptilon" - "wing"), and are widely used in folk medicine. Linden is an excellent honey-bearing crop. The fruit is a nut.

The heart-shaped linden (Tilia cordata) is a tree with a wide spreading crown. Ovate-heart-shaped leaves, dark green and glossy on the upper side, lighter and with brownish hairs on the lower side. The flowers bloom in July. At the base of the plant trunk, a growth is formed.

Large-leaved linden (T. platyphyllos) has heart-shaped leaves with whitish hairs along the veins on the underside. Flowers appear in June-July.

European linden (Tilia x europaea) is a hybrid of heart-shaped linden and large-leaved linden. This is a tall, lush tree with large, smooth leaves on the underside.

Felt linden, or fluffy linden (T. tomentosa), differs from other linden species by densely pubescent young shoots. The leaves are glabrous on top and felty-pubescent on the bottom. In July and August, the flowers bloom. Very decorative tree, widely used in landscaping.

American linden (T. americana) with very large decorative leaves is also bred.

Begonifolia linden forms hybrids with other species (small-leaved linden and European linden).

Cultivation

Linden trees are grown in parks and gardens in single or group plantings; in cities, they are planted along the streets. Usually planted in a permanent place in the fall or early spring. They grow in a variety of soils, prefer fresh, rich in humus, with a pH (soil acidity) of 5.5 to 7.5. During planting, it is recommended to apply organic fertilizers. As a rule, linden trees tolerate pruning very well, but they are usually limited (because of their beautiful natural shape) to removing dry, damaged or unsightly branches. The growth at the base is removed to give the plant a neat appearance. Linden leaf litter decomposes quickly, improving the physical properties of the soil and its fertility.

Location

Linden trees prefer a place in the open sun, but they can be planted in partial shade.

Temperature

These plants are mainly from the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere and are resistant to both high and low temperatures.

Watering

It is mandatory to water young plants during planting.

Reproduction

In nature, linden is propagated by seeds (germinate in 2 years), overgrowth and layers. In culture, the most common method is to sow seeds in March, indoors, in a seedbed. After germination, the seedlings are transplanted into pots singly. Planting in the ground is carried out after 3-4 years. You can also use cuttings, layering, and in shoot-bearing species-rooted offspring. Ready-made layers and offspring are separated from plants in the spring. Cuttings are taken in July-August, if they are semi-woody, or in winter - lignified.

Diseases

Linden is resistant to pests. But still, the linden mite that appears forms galls on the leaves. Sawflies, woodworms, and other insects damage the wood. Linden is affected by fungi-real and false tinder boxes (cause trunk rot), hive. Mistletoe is often parasitized on linden trees.

Acquisition

Linden trees are extremely easy to find in specialized nurseries and gardening centers. They are best purchased when they are still dormant. Choose small specimens, taking into account that young plants grow quickly.