Content
- 1 Characteristics and description of small-leaved linden
- 2 The difference between small-leaved linden and large-leaved
- 3 Varieties of small-leaved linden
- 4 Advantages and disadvantages
- 5 Landing rules
- 6 Care instructions
- 7 Pest and disease control
- 8 Methods of propagation of small-leaved linden
- 9 Photo of small-leaved linden in landscape design
- 10 Conclusion
Small-leaved linden is a beautiful tree with a lush pyramidal or spherical crown. The culture is unpretentious, adapts well to different climatic conditions, so it can even withstand Siberian winters. The basic rules for planting and care are described in this article.
Characteristics and description of small-leaved linden
The small-leaved linden (Tilia cordata) is a tree from the genus of the same name, belonging to the malvaceae family (although previously it was a separate linden family). The name of this tree is associated with quite a few leaves, which makes it visually different from the large-leaved genus. In addition, the shape of the foliage resembles hearts, so there are other names - heart-leaved or heart-shaped linden.
The tree is found everywhere in the temperate climate zone of Europe.In Russia, the range covers the European part, the territory of Western Siberia, the northern regions up to the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug. Small-leaved linden has taken root well in the climatic conditions of the Urals. But in Eastern Siberia and the Far East it practically does not occur.
Small-leaved linden has dark bark; the older the tree, the more grooves appear on it. The leaves are arranged alternately and grow on long petioles. The color of the upper side is green, the lower side has a bluish tint. The length of the plate reaches 3-6 cm. It has a smooth matte surface with slight pubescence only in the corners of the veins. The tips are pointed, which gives a certain elegance.
Dimensions of small-leaved linden
Small-leaved linden grows up to 15-20 m, and in natural conditions - up to 30-35 m. Some specimens reach 38 m.
Small-leaved linden crown shape
The crown of the tree is quite dense and dense, which requires periodic thinning. It is ovoid in shape and gradually tapers upward. The crown width of small-leaved linden reaches 10-12 m.
How small-leaved linden blooms
The flowering period of small-leaved linden falls on the period from the last ten days of June to the first days of June. In total, this period lasts 1.5-2 weeks. If the summer is hot, it can last up to seven days. The flowers are of the correct type, bisexual, and have a double perianth. The petals are yellowish-white in color and have a rather strong aroma. Inflorescences are corymbose, each with 3-11 flowers.
In the second half of summer, fruits form in the form of a pubescent, thin-walled, spherical nut. It may contain 1-2 seeds. Usually ripening occurs in August-September.
The leaves have a rich green color
If it grows in open areas, the first buds appear at 12-15 years, but if in a dense planting, then only after 20-25 years.
How quickly does small-leaved linden grow?
The tree grows quite quickly - every year it gains 50 cm in height and 40 cm in width. However, over the years, when reaching a certain height, the speed decreases and becomes almost unnoticeable.
Medicinal properties and uses of small-leaved linden
The composition of tree flowers includes quite a lot of valuable components. These are fatty, essential oils, terpenes, tannins, mucus, vitamins and carbohydrates. Therefore, small-leaved linden is often used as a medicinal plant. It brings certain benefits to different systems of the body, having the following effect:
- antipyretic;
- diuretic;
- soothing;
- diaphoretic;
- bactericidal;
- anti-inflammatory.
Especially many useful components are present in the flowers of small-leaved linden. Therefore, it is most often used for medicinal purposes. The flowers are harvested during a limited period as they appear for a maximum of two weeks. Then spread in one layer, dry thoroughly and store in containers at room temperature and moderate humidity.
The difference between small-leaved linden and large-leaved
Small-leaved linden differs from large-leaved linden in its leaves. In the first one they are much smaller, reaching only 6 cm in length. At the same time, in the large-leaved one they are about 12-14 cm, i.e. twice as much. The color of the upper side is the same for both representatives - rich green. But the lower part of the large-leaved one is paler, while the small-leaved one has a bluish tint.
Large-leaved lindens are more widespread. They bloom about two weeks earlier, i.e. back in mid-June. The culture tolerates frost and other unfavorable conditions well.However, small-leaved is also quite winter-hardy. Therefore, you can breed both species on your site.
Varieties of small-leaved linden
Small-leaved linden is a species from which several varieties have been developed. They may differ in height, crown shape and other characteristics. The most popular varieties are:
- Greenspier is tall, grows up to 20 m, the crown reaches 12 m in width. It has an attractive oval shape and branches well. The foliage is small, within 6 cm, and its contours resemble a heart.
- Beaulieu (Bohlje) is a very attractive small-leaved linden with a regular shape. The leaves are greenish-gray. The crown is moderately spreading, height up to 18 m. It grows well both on fertile soils and on limestone soils.
- Ranch is a representative of low-growing small-leaved lindens. It reaches a height of only a few meters, rarely more than 10. The first flowers appear after 5-8 years. Flowering is abundant, which attracts many gardeners.
- Winter Orange – the name of this variety of small-leaved linden literally means “orange winter”. This is due to the characteristic bright colors of autumn. The crown has the shape of a pyramid and looks beautiful throughout the entire season, including during leaf fall.
- Green Globe is another representative with a lush spherical crown. Often grown on a trunk, with the lower branches pruned. Moreover, the height of the tree itself will depend on the height of the trunk.
Advantages and disadvantages
Small-leaved linden is a rather unpretentious and beautiful tree.It is well suited for single plantings, and some varieties are also used in hedges.
All varieties of small-leaved linden produce trees with a symmetrical crown
Pros:
- lush, dense crown;
- high altitude;
- unpretentiousness;
- high winter hardiness;
- shade tolerance;
- beautiful leaves;
- flowers with a bright aroma;
- medicinal properties.
Minuses:
- the flowering period is very short;
- does not lend itself well to cuttings.
Landing rules
It is better to plant small-leaved linden in mid-April, when positive temperatures gradually set in even at night. When choosing a place, you should take into account that it is illuminated (but partial shade is also allowed) and dry (without stagnant water in the lowlands).
For planting, small-leaved linden seedlings with a stem height of 120 cm (total height - 150 cm) are purchased. First, pits are prepared for them, proceeding as follows:
- Mark several holes 60*60 cm at a distance of 4 m (if you plan to create a hedge - 2 m).
- Small stones are filled in, and a layer of fertile soil is placed on top.
- The seedlings are rooted, the soil is compacted, slightly deepening the root collar.
- Water with settled water and mulch after a few days.
Care instructions
During care, it is worth remembering the relationship of small-leaved linden to moisture. Young seedlings need regular watering - a bucket every week. You should periodically loosen the soil and do weeding in the tree trunk circle. Mature trees are given 5-7 buckets once a month.
Small-leaved linden is responsive to fertilizing. For good growth in spring, it is necessary to give nitrogen fertilizers, for example, urea or mullein infusion 1:10. During flowering and a few weeks later, complex fertilizing is applied, and in early autumn the tree trunk circle is covered with a small layer of wood ash.
Linden is responsive to regular watering and occasional feeding
Pest and disease control
Small-leaved crops can suffer from various pests:
- tube screws;
- silkworms;
- lilac hawk moths;
- Scale insects.
For prevention in the spring, insecticide treatments should be done, for example, “Karbofos”, “Fufanon”, “Colorado”.
Sometimes fungal and even viral infections are possible. This is white rot, spotting, sooty fungus. Not all pathologies can be cured, so it is best to follow the rules of prevention - carry out fungicide treatments in early spring:
- "Abiga Peak";
- "HOM";
- "Ridomil Gold";
- "Tattu."
Methods of propagation of small-leaved linden
There are several ways to propagate small-leaved linden. A tree can be grown from seeds, layering, root shoots and cuttings:
- If grown from seeds, it is too problematic and time-consuming, since the cycle takes 10 years. The grains are collected and placed in sand for stratification (in the refrigerator). In spring they sow to a depth of 1 cm and wait 1-2 years. When the shoots appear, they are watered intensively, then thinned out and fed.
- It is convenient to propagate mature trees by root shoots. At the beginning of summer, the cuttings are dug up (preferably in rainy weather) and immediately transferred to a new location.
- Small-leaved linden trees are also propagated by layering. In early spring, they are bent to the ground and buried, leaving only the tip. Water regularly and cut off in the fall, replanting in a permanent place.
- There is also a method of propagation called cuttings. But in practice it is not used so often, since not all seedlings take root.
Photo of small-leaved linden in landscape design
The tree is used mainly in single plantings because it is very tall and spreading.A hedge is created based on low-growing varieties. The main methods of application in garden design are shown in the photo:
- Planting in rows.
- Alley of linden trees.
Conclusion
Small-leaved linden is a truly beautiful tree of regular shape with numerous leaves and a lush crown. It remains attractive in summer and autumn, especially during the flowering period. It has medicinal properties, so if desired, the flowers can be collected and prepared to obtain a healing decoction.
