American linden (Tilia americana)
Species info:
Leaves: Alternate, simple, oblong to obovate, 4"–6" long and 1"–3" wide. Leaf base markedly uneven, margins coarsely doubly serrated. Upper surface dark green and glabrous to slightly rough; underside lighter and softly pubescent.
Leaflets: None (simple leaf).
Leaf Surface: Smooth to slightly rough on top; softer and pale beneath.
Bark: Ash-gray, forming flat-topped ridges separated by diamond-shaped furrows. Broken bark shows alternating light and dark layers—a key ID feature.
Flowers: Inconspicuous; appear before leaves. Produce samaras ~½" long with a thin oval wing, hairy-fringed and notched at the tip.
Fruit: Flat samaras that mature in late spring; dispersed by wind.
Botanical: Tilia americana
Family: Malvaceae
Mature Height: 70–80 feet (occasionally taller in ideal conditions)
Canopy Spread: 40–60 feet; broad, dense crown
Foliage Type: Deciduous
Tree Shape: Large, rounded to oval crown with dense branching; long, straight trunk
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower: Showy and fragrant
Fruit: No ornamental value
Fall Color: Yellow to yellow-orange
Water Use: Moderate; prefers evenly moist soils but tolerates occasional drought once established
Hardiness: Zones 3–7
Soil Preference: Moist, fertile, well-drained loams; tolerates slightly alkaline soils common in Colorado
Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade
Wildlife Value: Highly attractive to bees—sometimes called the “bee tree”, flowers support pollinators; fruit eaten by birds and small mammals, leaf litter enriches soil with calcium, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium
Pests/Pathogens: Generally pest-resistant, with some susceptibility to aphids (may cause honeydew), Japanese beetle (where present), verticillium wilt (rare)
Planting Recommendations: Recommended for most sites along the Front Rang
Information Sources:
Front Range Tree Recommendation List
Michael Dirr, Manual of Woody Landscape Plants
Michael Kuhns, Trees of Utah and the Intermountain West
