Littleleaf Linden
Tilia cordata
Learn about the Littleleaf Linden including when and why it was planted, how to identify it, and where to find it on campus.
Tree Facts
Family: Malvaceae
Type
Deciduous
Size
Large (greater than 50 feet)
Traits
- Small, heart-shaped leaves
- Pendulous clusters of yellow flowers rich in nectar
- Dark gray, furrowed bark
- Upright, pyramidal growth habit
Native Range
- Iran
- Western Siberia
- Europe
Story of the Tree
Littleleaf linden once dominated the woodlands of Europe. It is associated with romance, fertility and healing. The rich flower nectar attracts many bees in the summer. There are two formal groves of this tree on the east Capitol Camus next to Capitol Way that frame and soften the monumental government buildings, as well as produce welcomed shade in the summer and habitat for wildlife.
