Littleleaf Linden 'Greenspire'

This is the most commonly planted cultivar of this species. It was selected for having a more narrow, oval crown than the average straigh...Read Moret species and it grows a little faster.

My Greenspire tree was bought at a big box store in summer 2012. Since it was summer, I watered it weekly. Other than that it has not h...Read Moread special care.

The tree has grown quickly. It has added about 4 feet in height each year, in it's first 2 years. I am very happy so far.

No blooms yet.

UPDATE December 2017. I now have 4 Greenspire lindens, bought at the same store, on sale. They have flourished. The largest is now about 20 feet tall and they are very handsome trees. They bloom nicely each year. Deer nibble the lowest leaves but don't attempt to reach higher growth. I did not have to protect from deer even when these trees were young. They have not had disease or insect problems.

This adaptable and pollution-tolerant species is commonly planted as a shade tree.

The June flowers are not showy but per...Read Morefume the air for about two weeks, and are very attractive to honeybees and other pollinators. The French traditionally use them dried as an herbal tea. The pollen is moderately allergenic.

This tree is easy to shape and takes well to shearing and pollarding. For centuries, it has been popular in Europe for estates, parks, and allees, and also commonly used there as a hedge.

In Europe, mature trees can reach 80-90'. I rarely see it reach half that here in Massachusetts.

In Boston, this tree is commonly afflicted with aphids or scale, which excrete a rain of sticky honeydew on everything below, including benches and windshields. The fallen honeydew usually turns black with sooty mold. Systemic insecticides can be used to control the insects but also take a toll on honeybees and other pollinators.

This species also commonly produces tremendous numbers of suckers from the base of the trunk, requiring frequent maintenance and eventually producing large disfiguring burls.

This is one of the most commonly planted street trees in the northeast. I see many here that are stunted and half-dead. Perhaps it's the stingy tree pits they're given.

According to Dirr, this species suffers in the hot summers of southeastern US. It does better there with protection from afternoon sun. It rarely prospers south of Z7.

There are many cultivars. This is the most commonly planted. To my eye, they're all much alike.