Little Leaf Linden – Tilia cordata
Natural History
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Other Names: Small-leaved Lime, Small-leaved Linden, Little-leaf Linden, Lime
Distinctive Characteristics: Both the Little-leaf Linden and its relative, the Big-leaf Linden (Tilia platyphyllos), are handsome, fragrant, densely foliated, deciduous trees with heart-shaped leaves. Like yews and beeches, ancient Lindens can hollow and deteriorate into what seem like separate trees. Aphids like to eat the flowers and leaves, dropping a sticky substance, called honeydew. They are known for their longevity, and responding well to coppicing.
Distribution: Native to Britain, most of Europe, Turkey, and Western Asia. Elevation: 6–3,400 ft. (2–1033 m).
Ecosystem: Moist deciduous forests with English Oak, Sessile Oak, European Beech, Oriental Beech, Sweet Cherry, European Ash, Scots Elm, White Fir, European Larch, Silver Birch.
Maximum Age: Estimated at 1,300 years.
Maximum Height and Girth: 130 ft. (40 m) in height; 59.7 ft. (18 m) in circumference.
Animal Community: Lindens provide habitat for a number of bird and insect species.
Traditional Uses:
Medicine: The flowers, leaves, wood, and charcoal have all been prepared for medicinal purposes including relief from colds, cough, tonsillitis, diarrhea, fever, infection, rheumatism, and inflammatory skin disorders, including burns and hemorrhoids. Preparations were also used as a treatment for high blood pressure, vomiting, indigestion, as well as a nervine for calming. The flowers in water were used for a cold face wash. The German verb for alleviate is lindern.
Food: Young leaves are edible.
Fiber: The fibrous inner bark (bass or bast) was used to make cordage, ropes, fishing nets, paper and shoes.
Art and Ceremony: Culturally, the living trees themselves were often the center of social life in many villages, as well as judicial meetings. Special Tanzlinden in Germany were social centerpieces that served as settings for the village dance floor for ceremonial dances (Tanz means dance in German). Many of these special trees still are used today, some recognizable by their circular scaffolding built to encircle the dance ring and hold up the big branches. The wood was a favorite for carving musical instruments, religious sculptures and small canvas on which to paint.
Modern Uses: The wood has been used for beehives, spoons and light furniture. Sweet and fragrant Lindenblüten (Linden blossoms) are still an everyday popular herbal tea in Europe.
Threats and Conservation: Not threatened. It is protected in Great Britain, as populations are rare.
Distinctive Characteristics: Both the Little-leaf Linden and its relative, the Big-leaf Linden (Tilia platyphyllos), are handsome, fragrant, densely foliated, deciduous trees with heart-shaped leaves. Like yews and beeches, ancient Lindens can hollow and deteriorate into what seem like separate trees. Aphids like to eat the flowers and leaves, dropping a sticky substance, called honeydew. They are known for their longevity, and responding well to coppicing.
Distribution: Native to Britain, most of Europe, Turkey, and Western Asia. Elevation: 6–3,400 ft. (2–1033 m).
Ecosystem: Moist deciduous forests with English Oak, Sessile Oak, European Beech, Oriental Beech, Sweet Cherry, European Ash, Scots Elm, White Fir, European Larch, Silver Birch.
Maximum Age: Estimated at 1,300 years.
Maximum Height and Girth: 130 ft. (40 m) in height; 59.7 ft. (18 m) in circumference.
Animal Community: Lindens provide habitat for a number of bird and insect species.
Traditional Uses:
Medicine: The flowers, leaves, wood, and charcoal have all been prepared for medicinal purposes including relief from colds, cough, tonsillitis, diarrhea, fever, infection, rheumatism, and inflammatory skin disorders, including burns and hemorrhoids. Preparations were also used as a treatment for high blood pressure, vomiting, indigestion, as well as a nervine for calming. The flowers in water were used for a cold face wash. The German verb for alleviate is lindern.
Food: Young leaves are edible.
Fiber: The fibrous inner bark (bass or bast) was used to make cordage, ropes, fishing nets, paper and shoes.
Art and Ceremony: Culturally, the living trees themselves were often the center of social life in many villages, as well as judicial meetings. Special Tanzlinden in Germany were social centerpieces that served as settings for the village dance floor for ceremonial dances (Tanz means dance in German). Many of these special trees still are used today, some recognizable by their circular scaffolding built to encircle the dance ring and hold up the big branches. The wood was a favorite for carving musical instruments, religious sculptures and small canvas on which to paint.
Modern Uses: The wood has been used for beehives, spoons and light furniture. Sweet and fragrant Lindenblüten (Linden blossoms) are still an everyday popular herbal tea in Europe.
Threats and Conservation: Not threatened. It is protected in Great Britain, as populations are rare.
