Small-leaved linden

Profile

Family

Malvaceae

Habit

Tree

Height

31.5 m

Spread

12 m

Growth

medium

Lifespan

900 years

First yield

after 15 years

Hardiness

zone 3–8

Shade tolerance

partial shade

Soil

Sand, Silt, Loam

Soil moisture

semi-dry – very moist

pH

5.5 – 7.5

Synonyms

Linde

Flowering & harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible: Young leaves can be consumed raw and are great for adding to salads or sandwiches due to their mild flavor and slightly slimy texture. These leaves are typically found on the young shoots at the tree's base from spring to early fall. Ground flowers and unripe fruit can be used to create a chocolate substitute, although commercialization attempts have been unsuccessful due to the paste's quick decomposition. The flowers are commonly brewed into a sweet and fragrant herbal tea. It's important to note the toxicity warnings mentioned earlier. In spring, the juice can be harvested, offering a sweet beverage or can be concentrated into a syrup.

Medicinal: Linden blossoms are commonly used as a natural remedy for various health issues, especially to promote sweating. A tea brewed from fresh or dried blossoms offers several medicinal benefits such as antispasmodic, diaphoretic, expectorant, antihypertensive, laxative, and sedative properties. Internally, linden blossom tea is utilized to address indigestion, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, hysteria, nervous vomiting, and palpitations. These blossoms are harvested commercially and can be found in health food stores. It is recommended to harvest linden blossoms when they are freshly opened to avoid the development of narcotic properties over time. Additionally, charcoal derived from the wood is used to alleviate stomach or digestive issues, while a powdered form is applied to burns or sores.

Other uses: A fiber obtained from the inner bark is utilized in creating various items such as mats, shoes, baskets, rope, and fabric. This fiber is sourced from tree trunks with a diameter ranging from 15 to 30 cm. Additionally, it can be employed in paper production. The process involves harvesting the stems during spring or summer, steaming them to facilitate fiber removal after stripping off the leaves. By boiling the fibers with lye for 2 hours and subsequently grinding them in a ball mill, the outer bark is separated from the inner bark through peeling or scraping. The resulting paper has a beige hue. The wood, known for its softness, white color, and ease of carving, is particularly suitable for crafting household items and small, short-lived objects. Charcoal serves as a drawing medium.

Growing

Prefers a rich, moist, loamy, alkaline to neutral soil, but also does well in slightly acidic soils, and can tolerate significant exposure. It thrives in sunny or partially shaded areas. Trees can be transplanted with ease, including large specimens, with successful transplants of trees up to 60 years old. They are suitable for topping or stump cutting, and produce fewer root suckers compared to other species like T. platyphyllos or T. x vulgaris. This species thrives in woodland areas, with young plants tolerating lateral shade well, while mature trees provide dense shade. It is a valuable bee plant, offering abundant nectar, and supports 31 insect species. The leaves attract aphids, leading to sweet secretions and mold, making it unsuitable for urban plantings. However, it is less prone to aphids than T. platyphyllos or T. x vulgaris. There are various ornamental cultivars within this species. Plants in this genus show remarkable resistance to honey fungus.

Propagation

Seeds - A significant portion of seeds produced are non-viable. Check a few seed pods by opening them to confirm the presence of seeds. If available, acquire fresh, mature seeds without a hard seed coat and plant them promptly in a cool environment. These seeds should sprout the following spring, although it may take up to 18 months. Stored seeds may have a delayed germination process due to factors like a hard seed coat, embryo odor, and pericarp shell. In some cases, germination could be as long as 8 years. To expedite this, stratify the seeds for 5 months at high temperatures (10°C at night, up to 30°C during the day) followed by 5 months of cold stratification. Once the seedlings are large enough, transfer them to individual pots and nurture them in a greenhouse during their initial winter. Plant them in their permanent spot in late spring or early summer, after the final expected frosts. Layering should be done in spring, just before the leaves start to unfold, and this method can last 1-3 years. During the dormant period, remove suckers as they appear and promptly replant them with a generous amount of roots.

Notable

Special features: prefers a similarly moist, shady location as beech trees; center of sociability, tree of the people; famous for bast: [Peel off bark in May → into 10cm wide strips → in cold water → until pure bast peels off → sun-dry] Yields up to 2.5 kg honey + 45 kg bast per tree; <1% of German forests; 1500 kWh/rm; 4.2 kWh/kg

Origin & habitat

Europe, from Norway south and east to Spain, Siberia, Crimea, and the Caucasus.

Well-drained soil with consistent moisture and an annual rainfall of 110–155 cm. Located on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada at elevations between 1,500 and 2,500 meters.

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