Linden, Silver
Tilia tomentosa
Tiliaceae - Linden

Description

Leaves: Alternate; simple; more evenly heart-shaped; 2" to 5" long and almost as wide; deciduous; coarsely doubly serrate margin; pointed tip; dark green and glabrous to slightly pubescent above; covered with dense silver-white pubescence beneath; petiole thin and hairy, 1" to 1-1/2" long; yellow fall color.

Twigs/buds: Twigs usually zigzag; densely pubescent. No terminal bud; lateral buds partially covered with soft hairs, otherwise dark red-brown or green, about 1/4" long, rounded, usually with two visible scales.

Flowers/fruit: Flowers perfect; yellow-white; similar to littleleaf European linden, with a bract 1-1/2" to 2-1/2" long. Fruit similar to American linden but hairier and slightly smaller.

Bark: Smooth and light gray for many years; later turning dark gray-brown and furrowed.

Wood: Presumably similar to American linden; little information available.

General: Native to southeastern Europe and western Asia. Like other lindens prefers moist sites with rich soil but is adaptable to poorer soils; more heat and drought tolerant than other lindens. Shade tolerant.

Landscape Use: A good, large shade tree that should be planted more in Utah. Its foliage is very attractive, with contrasting dark green and silver-white. Zones 4-7.

Cultivars: 'Brabant', 'Erecta', Green Mountain®, 'Satin Shadow', 'Sterling'.

Characteristics

General

Family Tiliaceae - Linden
Cultivar Availability Yes
Hardiness Zone 4-7
Type Broadleaf
Utah Native No

Growth

Growth Rate Medium
Mature Height High
Longevity Medium
Is Good Under Power Lines No
Crown Shapes Pyramidal

Ornamental

Bark No
Fall Color No
Flowers Yes
Foliage Yes
Fruit Yes

Tolerance

Shade Medium
Salt Medium
Drought Medium
Poor Drainage Medium
Alkalinity High
Transplanting High