Introduction
'Redmond' American linden grows 65 to 75 feet tall and 30 to 45 feet wide forming a pyramidal shape with upright branches and shiny leaves and is quite drought-tolerant. It may also be known as Tilia x euchlora 'Redmond'. The tree is pyramidal when young but develops into a striking specimen with an upright, oval canopy atop a tall, straight trunk. The lower branches on the species remain on the tree and gently drape toward the ground before sweeping up in a gentle curve. This cultivar has a more upright habit so branches will not droop as much as the species. The four to eight-inch-long, heart-shaped leaves are dark green throughout the year fading only to pale green or yellow before dropping in autumn. In June, the trees produce abundant, two to three-inch-wide clusters of very fragrant, light yellow blooms which are extremely attractive to bees, who make a delicious honey from their harvests. The small, grey nut which is later produced will persist on the tree until midwinter. The trunk on the species can grow to six feet or more across on mature specimens.
Credit: Ed Gilman, UF/IFAS
General Information
Scientific name: Tilia americana
Pronunciation: TILL-ee-uh uh-mair-ih-KAY-nuh
Common name(s): 'Redmond' American linden, 'Redmond' basswood, 'Redmond' American basswood
Family: Tiliaceae
USDA hardiness zones: 4A through 8B (Fig. 2)
Origin: native to North America
Invasive potential: little invasive potentia
Uses: hedge; street without sidewalk; shade; specimen; parking lot island > 200 sq ft; sidewalk cutout (tree pit); tree lawn 4-6 feet wide; tree lawn > 6 ft wide; highway median
Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the tree
Description
Height: 60 to 70 feet
Spread: 30 to 45 feet
Crown uniformity: symmetrical
Crown shape: pyramidal, oval
Crown density: dense
Growth rate: moderate
Texture: coarse
Foliage
Leaf arrangement: alternate (Fig. 3)
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: serrate
Leaf shape: ovate, cordate
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaf type and persistence: deciduous
Leaf blade length: 4 to 8 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: yellow
Fall characteristic: not showy
Flower
Flower color: yellow, green
Flower characteristics: showy
Fruit
Fruit shape: round, oval
Fruit length: less than .5 inch
Fruit covering: dry or hard
Fruit color: tan
Fruit characteristics: does not attract wildlife; not showy; fruit/leaves not a litter problem
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/bark/branches: branches droop; not showy; typically one trunk; thorns
Pruning requirement: needed for strong structure
Breakage: susceptible to breakage
Current year twig color: green, brown
Current year twig thickness: medium
Wood specific gravity: 0.37
Culture
Light requirement: full sun, partial sun, or partial shade
Soil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; slightly alkaline; acidic; well-drained
Drought tolerance: high
Aerosol salt tolerance: none
Other
Roots: not a problem
Winter interest: no
Outstanding tree: yesl
Ozone sensitivity: unknown
Verticillium wilt susceptibility: resistant
Pest resistance: resistant to pests/diseases
Use and Management
This tree is large and needs plenty of room to develop. Branches should be well-spaced along a central trunk to allow for development of a durable structure. Left unpruned, crotches with embedded bark can develop but the wood is flexible so branches usually do not break from the tree. The tree is considered to have a strong branch structure. Plant it as a specimen or shade tree on a commercial property where there is plenty of soil space available for root expansion. It can be used as a street tree in large tree lawns or along a street without a sidewalk, but is sensitive to road salt. Be prepared to remove sprouts periodically from the base of the trunk.
A North American native tree, American linden prefers moist, fertile soils, acid or slightly alkaline, in full sun, or partial shade. More shade tolerant than many other large trees. The leaves will show some browning after a particularly dry season, but the tree appears fine the following year. It is often found (and prefers) growing along moist stream banks but tolerates moderate drought.
The cultivar 'Fastigiata' is narrowly pyramidal with fragrant yellow flowers; 'Legend' is resistant to leaf rust, pyramidal, grows with a single, straight trunk, and upright, well-spaced branches. These can all be used in large tree lawns along streets.
Propagation is by seed, cuttings, or grafting.
Pests
Mainly aphids, although Japanese beetle, European linden bark borer, linden borer, walnut lace bug, caterpillars, basswood leaf miner, elm sawfly, scales, and linden mite can all be troublesome problems. The aphids will secrete a honeydew which will result in a dark soot over objects below the tree, such as parked cars or lawn furniture.
Diseases
Anthracnose, leaf blight, canker, leaf spots, powdery mildew, and verticillium wilt are some diseases than can infect American linden. Leaf rust can cause some defoliation.
