Golden Bigleaf Linden
Tilia platyphyllos 'Aurea'
Height: 50 feet
Spread: 30 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 4a
Other Names: Bigleaf Lime
Description:
A choice large shade tree with bright green foliage and branches that are bright yellow when young, quite appealing in winter but tend to get lost in the summer foliage; oval habit of growth, a nice, tidy and low maintenance tree
Ornamental Features
Golden Bigleaf Linden is primarily valued in the landscape for its distinctively pyramidal habit of growth. It features subtle clusters of fragrant yellow flowers with tan bracts hanging below the branches in late spring. It has light green deciduous foliage. The large heart-shaped leaves turn yellow in fall. The furrowed brown bark and yellow branches add an interesting dimension to the landscape.
Landscape Attributes
Golden Bigleaf Linden is a deciduous tree with a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.
This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting bees to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;
Golden Bigleaf Linden is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Planting & Growing
Golden Bigleaf Linden will grow to be about 50 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 30 feet. It has a high canopy with a typical clearance of 6 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. As it matures, the lower branches of this tree can be strategically removed to create a high enough canopy to support unobstructed human traffic underneath. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 70 years or more.
This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under average home landscape conditions. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.