Tilia tomentosa

Tilia tomentosa flower (14/05/2011, Paris)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Moist, well drained

Flowering period: Summer

Eventual Height: 30m

Eventual Spread: 20m

Hardiness: 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a

Family: Malvaceae

Tilia tomentosa is a deciduous tree with a broadly columnar habit. It has rounder to broadly ovate, occasionally lobed dark green leaves that are densely white-hairy underneath. In early summer it bears cymes of up to ten very fragrant white flowers. Following the flowers a 8-10mm long drupe is produced.

Tilia tomentosa, commonly known as the Silver Lime in the UK and Silver Linden in the USA, is native to southwestern Asia. An infusion of  flowers of this tree used by herbalists which is believed to be antispasmodic, diaphoretic and sedative.

The etymological root of the binomial name Tilia is the ancient Latin name for the Lime Tree. Tomentosa is derived from Latin meaning ‘densely hairy’.

Tilia tomentosa pleached (14/05/2011, Paris)

The landscape architect will find Tilia tomentosa  useful in urban situations due to it tolerance of pollution, soil compaction, drought and heat. This tree is also suitable for pleaching. The cultivar of this tree Tilia ‘Brabant’ is also useful as it has a symmetrical conical crown.

Tilia tomentosa prefers an alkaline soil composed of sand, clay, loam or chalk. It will also prefer a sheltered location facing any aspect.

Ecologically, Tilia tomentosa is pollinated by honeybees, however it is toxic to other bees that cannot digest its nectar, shown by large numbers of comatose bees below the tree while it is in inflorescence.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Tilia tomentosa ‘Brabant’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Tilia tomentosa requires little maintenance. The removal of dead or damaged material and pruning should be carried out from mid-summer to mid-winter to prevent the wound from bleeding too much. This plant can also withstand a very hard pruning.