Large-Leaved Lime

Native to much of Europe and western Asia.

• Distributed from southern England and northern Spain eastward through central Europe to the Caucasus and northern Iran
• Most abundant in central and southern Europe, especially in the Balkans, the Alps, and the Carpathians
• Found at elevations from sea level to approximately 1,500 meters
• A component of mixed deciduous forests, particularly on limestone and base-rich soils
• Less common in northern Europe than the Small-Leaved Lime (Tilia cordata)
• Known as "Linde" in German — a name associated with peace, protection, and justice
• The word "linden" derives from the same Germanic root
• Lime wood was the preferred material for medieval German woodcarvers, including the masterworks of Tilman Riemenschneider

A large, stately deciduous tree with a broad, domed crown.

Bark:
• Gray-brown, smooth when young, developing long, shallow fissures with age
• Does not become deeply furrowed even in old trees

Leaves:
• Alternate, broadly ovate to cordate (heart-shaped), 6 to 12 cm long
• Dark green and smooth above, with tufts of whitish hair in vein axils beneath
• Margins sharply serrated with fine, forward-pointing teeth
• Turn a clear yellow in autumn
• Significantly larger than those of Tilia cordata

Flowers:
• Produced in pendulous cymes of 2 to 5 flowers, each cluster subtended by a pale, leaf-like bract
• Individual flowers 12 to 15 mm across, pale yellow, intensely fragrant
• Bloom in June to July — among the latest-flowering European trees
• Pollinated primarily by bees and other insects

Fruit:
• Small, spherical to pear-shaped nutlets, 8 to 12 mm, ribbed, slightly hairy
• Usually containing one seed
• Bract acts as a wing for wind dispersal

Form:
• 20 to 35 meters tall with a trunk diameter up to 1.5 meters
• Crown broadly domed, with ascending upper branches and drooping lower branches

The Large-Leaved Lime is an important component of European deciduous forests.

Habitat:
• Found in mixed deciduous woodlands, particularly on limestone and base-rich substrates
• Prefers deep, fertile, moist but well-drained soils
• Tolerant of shade when young, requiring more light as it matures
• Often grows alongside beech, oak, maple, and ash

Ecological interactions:
• Flowers produce copious nectar — one of the most important honey plants in Europe, yielding high-quality Linden honey
• Supports over 30 species of insects including aphids, lacewings, and ladybirds
• Leaves are food for numerous moth caterpillars including the Lime Hawk-moth
• Seeds eaten by birds and small mammals
• Dense canopy provides nesting habitat for a variety of songbirds

Growth:
• Moderate growth rate of 30 to 50 cm per year
• Extremely long-lived — specimens over 500 years are documented
• Sprouts freely from the base and can regenerate from stumps
• Tolerates coppicing and pollarding well

A classic shade and avenue tree in European parks, streets, and gardens.

Site selection:
• Prefers deep, fertile, well-drained loamy or chalky soils
• Full sun to partial shade — tolerates shade when young
• Not suited to waterlogged or very acidic soils
• Allow ample space — mature trees need room to spread

Planting:
• Plant bare-root or container-grown trees in late autumn or early spring
• Prepare a wide planting hole with added organic matter
• Stake young trees for the first 2 to 3 years

Care:
• Water during prolonged dry periods in the first few years
• Generally low-maintenance once established
• Prune in late summer to avoid excessive sap bleeding
• Can be pollarded or crown-lifted for street tree management
• Watch for aphid honeydew, which can be a nuisance on parked cars and patios
• Hardy in USDA zones 5 to 7

The Large-Leaved Lime has been central to European culture and economy for centuries.

Beverage and food:
• Flowers dried to make linden blossom tea (Tilleul), a beloved herbal infusion across Europe
• Nectar produces prized Linden honey with a distinctive minty flavor
• Young leaves are edible and can be used in salads

Wood:
• Pale, fine-grained, lightweight wood — ideal for carving, turning, and model-making
• Used for centuries by woodcarvers, including masterworks of Gothic and Renaissance sculpture
• Also used for piano keys, beehives, and woodenware

Ornamental and cultural:
• Classic avenue, park, and street tree across Europe
• Traditionally planted as a village tree — the focal point for community gatherings and courts of justice
• In Germanic tradition, the Linden was a tree of peace and truth
• Linden wood charcoal used by artists for drawing

Traditional medicine:
• Flower tea used as a remedy for colds, coughs, and anxiety
• Mildly sedative and diaphoretic (promotes sweating)