The heat wave that’s been gripping much of the nation likely has people longing for shade. As we note in many of our social media posts, #shadestartshere. Among the many fine shade trees we grow, lindens loom large as urban workhorses. They’re found on many city streets and plazas across the continent, casting cool shade that helps to reduce the urban heat island effect by lowering surface temperatures and reducing energy needs for air conditioning. Their large leaves convert CO2 to oxygen and remove harmful particulate matter from the air.
In addition to improving air quality and capturing carbon from the atmosphere, Lindens and other large-tree species reduce stormwater runoff, improve the value of surrounding properties and create urban oases that invite passersby to linger. You can learn a great deal more about the benefits of shade trees by checking out Vibrant Cities Lab and Green Cities: Good Health.
Another benefit of Linden trees is their attractiveness to pollinators including honeybees and native bees. Linden flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer are favorites of honeybees and are the source of one of the oldest and most revered types of honey. You can find a great deal of information about the human health benefits, history, chemical properties, and legends surrounding linden trees and their honey on this Beekeeping website.
Linden trees are among the most stately and formal of shade trees. When it comes to classic shade tree form, the dense canopy and symmetrical shapes of the various Linden cultivars are hard to beat.
Two widely planted Linden species and their cultivars originate from European species: Littleleaf Linden (Tilia cordata) and Silver Linden (Tilia tomentosa). The North American native species, Tilia americana, is commonly known as Basswood. Cultivars of both species are featured below.
Redmond Linden
Tilia americana ‘Redmond’
A very successful street tree, its big leaves cast dense shade while staying fresh and green through the summer months. It’s notable for being fast-growing while developing a thick, sturdy trunk at an early age. In addition to its being a formal, sturdy, easy-care tree, its small yellow flowers have a delightful fragrance that floats upon the summer breeze. Fall color is yellow.
Greenspire® Linden
Tilia cordata ‘PNI 6051’
The standard of comparison among the Lindens, this 1961 introduction of Princeton Nursery of New Jersey has withstood the test of time and is likely the most widely planted of the Linden cultivars. A sturdy and reliable performer, it features a strong central leader, very uniform branch arrangement and a symmetrical, pyramidal form.
Its symmetrical form makes it a great choice for growing marvelous allées that soften the harsh landscapes of city streets. Its dense, leafy canopy produces deep shade that helps to reduce air conditioning costs and urban heat island effect. It reaches about 40 feet in height with a spread of about 30 feet. Dark green foliage turns yellow in the fall. * Dr. Michael Dirr and Keith Warren note in The Tree Book, that, “If a contest were held for the tree with the ideal pyramidal shape, this would be the winner.” Clean, dark green foliage turns yellow in autumn. Hardiness is USDA Zone 4.
Shamrock® Linden
Tilia cordata ‘Baileyi’
Introduced by Bailey Nurseries in 1987, this newer cultivar resembles Greenspire® but grows a bit faster and branches more uniformly around the trunk at an earlier age, developing a more balanced canopy in a shorter length of time. In The Tree Book, Dirr and Warren call it “a good broadly pyramidal form, eventually rounding out on top, looser than Greenspire®, one of the faster growers, good summer green in color.”
Corinthian® Linden
Tilia cordata ‘Corzam’
The narrowest of the Linden cultivars, Corinthian® Linden matures to 45’ x 15’ and is well-suited for planting in residential yards and on narrow streets. Heart-shaped leaves are small, thick and deep green, giving it a finer textured, more delicate appearance than others of the species.
Sterling Linden
Tilia tomentosa ‘Sterling’
Two-tone leaves shimmer in the sunlight as they tip back and forth from green to silver when jostled by the slightest breeze. Their silver undersides are fuzzy (tomentose), a characteristic that makes them less attractive to the feeding of insects such as Japanese Beetles and aphids.
Green Mountain® Linden
Tilia tomentosa ‘PNI 6051’
Characterized by its uniquely two-tone foliage that has fuzzy (tomentose) silvery-green undersides, this shade tree shines when breezes create a shimmering effect as they ruffle the dark green leaves to reveal their lighter-colored undersides. This vigorous grower has an upright, symmetrical habit and forms a dense canopy. In The Tree Book, co-authors Dr. Michael Dirr and Keith Warren credit its outstanding form and foliage as top reasons for calling it their favorite cultivar among the Silver Lindens. Hardy through USDA Zone 5, its fall color is yellow.
Gardeners! Please note that our nursery is strictly wholesale. To purchase these and other trees grown by our nursery, please use our Retailer Locator to find sources of JFS trees near you.
