Linden

photo by tghoward CC BY-NC

Basswood, Lime

American Lindens have fragrant pale yellow flowers with a long, narrow, light-green bract that appear in June. The small, round fruit hang in bunches from the bract. They mature in fall but may remain on the tree during the winter. The trees (60-80 ft) have heart-shaped leaves and are commonly planted along city streets across North America where they provide thick shade. They have a thick, straight trunk with dark bark that becomes furrowed as the tree matures.

Lindens are native to North America and can be found in dry upland areas as well as moist, low woods.

Did you know? Linden flowers are very popular with bees. When a tree is in full bloom, there may be so many bees that you can hear their buzzing several feet away.