Tiglia Europea

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Malvaceae

Order

Malvales

Genus

Tilia

Species

europaea

Description

A native and endemic plant in almost all European regions, widely used and disseminated for multiple uses, both landscape and ornamental. Large tree with expanded, rounded crown tending to a regular growth habit. Dense branching, deep green leaves turning yellow in autumn. Good and not excessive flowering in June - July, fragrant and melliferous.
Excellent adaptability to various types of soils and growing environments, including urban and seaside climates. Requires a sunny exposure but tolerates partly shady areas. It develops a medium deep root in the soil, with widespread secondary roots. Grows well in all soil types, but prefers well-drained clay and sandy soils.
Multifunctional tree, suitable for park areas, urban and rural avenues, gardens, industrial and residential green areas. It has excellent drought resistance and adaptability to coastal areas. Resistant to pathogens, it tolerates pruning, which must be oriented towards maintaining the shape while respecting the architecture of the foliage. It comprises many varietal selections, differing in habit and colouration but all suitable for urban and landscape greenery. Unlike Tilia cordata it emits suckers at the base of the trunk if not grafted.

Origin and distribution

Natural hybrid native to Europe, obtained by crossing T. cordata x T. platyphyllos.

Flower size

Flower is small, lending elegance to the fragrant bloom.

Leaf

Leafs, alternate and deciduous, have Cuoriform, Dentate lamina.

Flowering period

from early spring to late spring for a duration of 10 to 20 days.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence corymb, bearing creamy-white perfumed flowers.

Leaf colour

It has a uniform, deep green hue that turns yellow during the autumn period, giving the plant additional ornamental value.

Plant height

The height of the tree varies from 10 to 30 m. It is generally referred to as a first-class tree.

Lifespan

Polyannual deciduous tree i.e. deciduous Leaf.

Where to plant

Due to its achieved size and its vegetal architecture, it is suitable for giving importance and visibility in large flowerbeds and road roundabouts, open field. Multifunctional tree, suitable for park areas, urban and rural boulevards, gardens, industrial and residential greenery.

Stem

The stem is woody with light grey bark, smooth at first and then longitudinally fissured; the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is simple in form, small in size, with a crown-like corolla and single-coloured petals. It is arranged in medium-sized corymbal inflorescences. It flowers from early spring to late spring, with a flowering period of between 10 and 20 days. It has honey notes and is very fragrant, with a delicate aroma. It is attractive to bees, butterflies and bumblebees.

Growth

Medium-vigorous Growth tree.

Plant habit

It develops a regular, Erect habit of growth with an expanded, rounded crown.

Branching

Branching is abundant and dense, giving the foliage high density.

PH

It prefers soils with a pH ranging from slightly acidic to neutral, between 6.0 and 7.0.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting at the end of autumn, choose the most suitable place, in relation to the plant's needs, and use a spade to make the planting hole at least one third larger than the volume of roots or root ball, removing any weeds and bulky pebbles. Apply specific organic or chemical granular fertiliser for a base fertilisation, useful to ensure the nutrients the plant needs in the first phases after planting.

Sun exposure

Requires a sunny exposure, but tolerates partially shady areas. Recommended exposures in half shade, full sun.

Ideal climate and temperature

It adapts well to cold winter climates. The ideal temperature is between 15 and 30 °C during the vegetative period. The biological temperature is between -10 and 40 °C.

Use

The majesty and elegance of the plant architecture as well as the autumn foliage effect make the European lime tree popular with landscapers and green enthusiasts in different areas such as

Outdoor ornamental Outdoor landscape design Landscaping

Hardiness

Highly hardy species. It has excellent adaptability to various types of soils and growing environments, including urban climates. It has excellent drought resistance as well as adaptability to coastal sea areas. Resistant to pathogens, tolerates pruning.

Soil

It grows well in all soil types, but prefers well-drained clay and sandy soils.

Difficulty

After proper establishment in the new planting site, cultivation is easy with an average low level of management effort. This species does not emit suckers at the base of the trunk, reducing maintenance and suckering costs in the garden and on urban paths.

Growing tips

Below are some specific cultivation aspects for the European Lime:

A plant that adapts very well to cold winter climates, and also thrives in frozen soil conditions. Correct pruning

Indiscriminate pruning of the stem and branches by means of "pruning" not only leads to an alteration of the natural habitus of the plant, but also to a lower resistance to biotic and abiotic agents as well as to a greater danger of the entire specimen failing.

Planting

For transplanting, adopt an average density of 200 plants/ha, choosing healthy specimens, free from abiotic and biotic stress conditions. Always identify the planting site in advance in relation to the growth conditions required by the species according to the principle of 'the right plant in the right place'.

In addition, keep the root ball temperate and compact to avoid root flaking.

Pruning

Plant that does not need pruning in parks and spacious gardens, but only in cases where the volume of the foliage has to be limited due to interference with houses or road frontage.
Periodic pruning every 4 to 5 years on branches smaller than 7 to 8 cm for roadside rows. Avoid pruning the stem, which leads to desiccation of the trunk and branches.

Propagation

Multiplication can be by seed, cuttings and grafting.

Watering

After transplanting, assist the plant so that it can best develop its root system in the new site, keeping the latter at a constant humidity free of water stagnation and dryness. Afterwards, prevent water saturation conditions by watering in quantities with frequencies and doses also commensurate with the climatic conditions in the different seasons. During the summer period water abundantly until the soil is saturated, in temperate conditions without surface stagnation.

Fertilising

Use a ternary fertiliser complete with Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK) at the tree planting stage or over the root zone (50 g/m2).

Tip

A particularly popular species because of all linden trees it is the one that does not emit suckers at the base of the trunk when grafted onto the collar. Despite pruning and training, it does not emit suckers. This species reduces the costs of maintenance and suckering of trees in the garden and on urban avenues.