Tilia americana
American lime, American basswood, Lime, Linden, Basswood
- Height × spread
- 27m × 16m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Handsome bell-shaped medium sized tree with very large broad leaves that have a neat pointed tip like a tiny claw. The dark green leaves are softly veined and have toothed edges. The leaves turn yellow and brown before leaf-fall in autumn, not high drama but impressive on a large tree. There are small dangling flowers in July, coloured pale yellow and not of ornamental interest. They are said to have an aromatic fragrance. This is an important timber tree in the USA. The tree has a straight trunk and may develop suckers around its base, the bark on old specimens being said to become corky. This tree comes from North America covering south-east Canada through to Oklahoma and beyond. This means there is considerable variation in the tree, and some variants are happier in the UK than others. In the USA the occasional tree may reach around 40 metres in height, but no such heights have been recorded in the UK. There are a number of useful cultivars available.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 27m
- Spread
- 16m
- Height in 10 years
- 10m
- Spread in 10 years
- 8m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Screening, Architectural, Bee attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Planting
Protect & support young trees
Attach a newly planted tree or tall shrub over 1m to a tree stake to give support and prevent windrock. Use a tree guard to stop tree bark being eaten by animals, especially in areas with deer - removing bark injures a tree and in worst case can kill it.
Found in
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