Key Facts
- Large deciduous shade tree native to eastern North America
- Fragrant yellowish white flowers in early summer attract bees
- Often used as a street and specimen tree in parks and yards
- Prefers moist fertile soils but tolerates clay and urban sites
- Typically long lived when site and drainage are suitable
- Suckers from the root system and can form multi‑stem clumps
- Valued for honey production and summer shade
American Linden (Tilia americana) is a large deciduous shade tree native to eastern North America prized for fragrant summer flowers and honey production. It makes a stately street or specimen tree when given room to spread and moist fertile soil.
Identification
Large tree reaching roughly 60 to 80 feet tall with a broad vase or rounded crown and a typical spread of 40 to 60 feet. Leaves are heart shaped and flowers are fragrant yellowish white clusters that appear in early to mid summer, attracting bees and producing nectar valued by beekeepers.
Best uses and where to grow
Use American Linden as a park, street or large-yard shade tree where its height and crown can be accommodated. Hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8, it performs best in full sun to part shade and is adaptable to urban sites, making it suitable for large lawns, parks and wide streetscapes.
Soil light and hardiness
Prefers moist, fertile, well drained soils and tolerates heavier clay and a range of pH from slightly acidic to neutral. Best form and flowering occur in full sun though it tolerates some afternoon shade. In colder zones growth is slower and late frost can cause twig dieback while warmer zones may bring heat or drought stress.
Planting and spacing
Allow enough room for a mature spread of 40 to 60 feet when siting new trees. Space planting holes and multiple trees so crowns do not compete at maturity. Planting close to buildings or small yards is not recommended because of the tree’s eventual height and wide canopy.
Watering and after flowering care
Keep young trees evenly moist to encourage deep roots; mature American Linden tolerates occasional dry periods but prolonged poor drainage or drought reduces longevity and vigor. Flowers need no deadheading; avoid heavy pruning during bloom and address structural pruning when the tree is dormant to maintain a strong scaffold and clear lower trunks if desired.
Controlling suckers and naturalizing
American Linden commonly produces root suckers and can form multi stem clumps if suckers are left unchecked. Remove unwanted suckers at their base to maintain a single trunk specimen or allow clumping where a multi stem habit is acceptable. Suckering also helps naturalize trees in larger plantings.
Propagation
Propagate by seed with cold stratification, by root suckers or by layering, and use grafting to reproduce named cultivars. Softwood cuttings are typically difficult and less reliable. If collecting seed consult propagation references for recommended stratification periods and seed handling for best germination.
Frequently asked questions
- How fast does American Linden grow?
- Growth is typically moderate to fast on moist fertile sites; growth slows in colder climates and under drought or poor soils.
- How large does it get at maturity?
- Expect roughly 60 to 80 feet tall with a 40 to 60 foot spread, though exact size varies by site and cultivar.
- When does American Linden bloom?
- Flowers appear in early to mid summer, generally around June to July in the Northern Hemisphere, with timing varying by latitude and local climate.
- Is American Linden toxic to pets or people?
- Not generally regarded as poisonous; ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal upset and rare skin sensitivity is possible. Verify with your regional poison control or the ASPCA database for definitive pet safety information.
- How should I propagate it?
- Common methods include seed with cold stratification, using root suckers or layering, and grafting for cloned cultivars. Softwood cuttings are usually unreliable.
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