Greenspire Littleleaf Linden

Greenspire Littleleaf Linden (Tilia cordata 'Greenspire')

Greenspire Littleleaf Linden, Tilia cordata 'Greenspire', is a dependable shade tree known for its strong central leader, narrowly pyramidal form, and fragrant early summer bloom. The dense, uniform canopy and medium size make it an excellent choice for streetscapes, driveways, and suburban yards where a clean, upright profile is important. Small, heart shaped leaves create a rich green curtain of foliage through the growing season, then shift to warm yellow tones in fall, so this tree provides structure, shade, and seasonal color in both residential and commercial landscapes.

Distinctive Features

Greenspire Littleleaf Linden generally matures to about 40 to 50 feet tall and 25 to 30 feet wide, with a well defined central trunk and evenly spaced lateral branches that form a tight, pyramidal crown. The small, glossy green leaves give the canopy a fine textured look and cast a cool, even shade beneath the tree. In early summer, pale yellow flowers appear in drooping clusters on slender stalks, adding subtle color and a sweet, honey like fragrance that attracts bees and other pollinators. As the season progresses, winged nutlets follow the bloom, and the foliage takes on golden yellow hues in fall, giving the tree a graceful autumn presence.

Growing Conditions

• Light: Performs best in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct light each day for strong growth, a dense crown, and reliable flowering.
• Soil: Prefers deep, moderately fertile, well drained soil but tolerates a range of average garden and urban soils when drainage is adequate.
• Water: Appreciates consistent moisture, especially while establishing and during hot, dry periods; avoid sites that remain saturated for long stretches.
• Hardiness: Well suited to many cold and temperate regions where lindens are commonly planted, provided trees are sited with reasonable soil depth and exposure.
• Size: Typically grows about 40 to 50 feet tall and 25 to 30 feet wide at maturity, depending on climate, soil, and local conditions.
• Growth Rate: Moderate grower that steadily builds height and canopy, forming a durable framework for long term shade.

Ideal Uses

• Streets and Driveways: Plant in rows along streets, long drives, or parking areas where the narrow crown and upright form provide shade without excessive spread.
• Urban and Suburban Yards: Use in side yards, along property lines, or between buildings where space is limited but a full sized shade tree is still desired.
• Avenue and Allee Plantings: Line walks or drives with evenly spaced trees to create a formal corridor of trunks and overhead canopy.
• Parks and Campuses: Incorporate into open lawns, play areas, and institutional landscapes where reliable shade and a clean, uniform habit are important.
• Pollinator Friendly Spaces: Include near meadows, mixed borders, or naturalized areas where the early summer bloom supports bees and other beneficial insects.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Water regularly during the first few seasons to encourage a deep, extensive root system; once established, provide deep soakings during prolonged dry spells.
• Pruning: Prune in the dormant season to maintain a single central leader, remove crossing or damaged limbs, and lift lower branches as needed to provide clearance for vehicles, pedestrians, or mowing.
• Fertilizing: In early spring, apply a light dose of balanced, slow release fertilizer or a band of compost in the root zone if soil is poor, avoiding heavy applications that push overly soft growth.
• Mulching: Maintain a wide ring of organic mulch around the base to protect the trunk from lawn equipment, conserve soil moisture, and moderate soil temperature, keeping mulch pulled back from direct contact with the bark.
• Seasonal Care: Monitor for signs of stress such as leaf scorch in drought, adjust watering as needed, and check stakes and ties on young trees, removing them once the trunk is strong and self supporting.

Why Choose Greenspire Littleleaf Linden?

• Narrow, Uniform Habit: Strong central leader and pyramidal crown make it ideal where a vertical shade tree is needed without excessive spread.
• Reliable Shade: Dense canopy and small leaves provide comfortable, even shade for homes, sidewalks, and outdoor gathering areas.
• Seasonal Interest: Fragrant pale yellow flowers, clean green foliage, and warm yellow fall color keep the tree attractive from early summer into autumn.
• Urban Friendly Choice: Adaptable to a range of soils and developed sites when given adequate rooting space, moisture, and basic care.
• Strong Visual Anchor: With its controlled spread, handsome foliage, and dependable performance, Greenspire Littleleaf Linden offers a long lasting focal point for streets, drives, and larger planting beds where a durable shade tree with a formal outline is desired.

With its narrow, symmetrical crown, fragrant early summer bloom, and dependable shade, Greenspire Littleleaf Linden is an excellent choice for creating structured all�es, lining streets and driveways, or adding long term height and presence to urban and suburban landscapes where space and clearances are tightly managed.