Trees in the genus are often used as specimen trees or shade trees that line urban streets. The linden’s canopies create deep shade with branches covered in densely bright green leaves with an asymmetrical heart shape. The real aesthetic draw of these lovely trees is their sweet-smelling white flowers that bloom every spring. The flowers are a matter of controversy, though, as research shows some Tilia spp. are toxic to bumblebees while others are not. It is worth noting that this only affects bumblebees; linden has been used for millennia to create honey, but bumblebees are prime pollinators and not profuse honey makers. If looking for a wonderfully ornamental shade tree suitable as a specimen or being planted in an allee, the genus Tilia offers several excellent selections readily available in the nursery trade for you to use in your landscape design. Other than avoiding that sticky situation, doing some research on what species is right for your area or if there is basswood native to your region might be a good idea. It is always a great idea to plant native if possible.
Light
You will find that most basswoods prefer full sun and will produce the most amount of blossoms under this condition. Some species have a slight tolerance for partial shade, but you will notice a distinct reduction in flowers when enough light is not present.
Soil
The soil conditions for various Tilia species will mostly hover around the average to the moist range, ensuring that the soil is well-drained. Throughout the genus, the pH scale will vary from species to species, with some being more inclined to tolerate higher alkalinity, like the Tilia cordata, the small-leaved linden. By contrast, American basswood (Tilia americana) will not tolerate alkaline soils.
Water
One of the wonderful things about planting native trees or trees that were not specifically cultivated for ornamental use is that they will usually not require supplemental irrigation once they are planted and established. Of course, this does not apply if they are planted in zones completely foreign to their range or are very drought tolerant. Basswoods are not drought tolerant, so if you live in an area prone to drought, you may need to do some supplemental watering or consider water-wise gardening or xeriscaping. If a tree in the linden genus is the right tree for you, you will need to water it well until it is established, following the standard rule of 10 gallons per week per inch of trunk diameter. Continue watering like this for the first two years.
Temperature and Humidity
There are around 30 species of Tilia from around the globe, with most able to hybridize with the others. The species all vary greatly on their tolerance for temperature and humidity, and it is best when looking to design your landscape you do some research to see what is the best fit for your hardiness zone.
Fertilizer
Most trees not bred in cultivation will do just fine without supplemental fertilization. But, if you apply a slow-release granular fertilizer in the fall, basswood is a genus that you will notice a difference in. A general-purpose tree or flowering tree fertilizer should do the trick. You are looking for healthy foliage and bloom production, so a higher N and P number is best in the NPK formulation.
Types of Basswood
Little-Leaf Linden (Tilia cordata): This type of basswood grows in USDA zones 3 to 7, though it’s native to Europe. It grows 60 to 70 feet tall, and 40 to 50 feet wide.American linden (Tilia americana): Native to the Eastern United States, the American linden grows up 50 to 80 feet tall, and 40 to 60 feet wide. It grows best in zones 2 to 8.Silver linden (Tilia tomentosa): The silver linden, native in the area that ranges from southeast Europe to Turkey, grows in USDA zones 4-7. It can grow 50 to 70 feet tall, and 40 to 50 feet wide.Henry’s lime (Tilia henryana): Native to Eastern China, Henry’s lime grows best in zones 6 to 8 where it can grow 70 to 80 feet tall and 50 to 60 feet wide.
Pruning
When it comes to pruning, you should prune a basswood to the desired form while it is still young. Mature basswood trees do not tolerate pruning well.
