Tiglio Nostrano

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Malvaceae

Order

Malvales

Genus

Tilia

Species

platyphyllos

Description

Deciduous deciduous broadleaf with an erect columnar stem and expanded ovoid foliage. Its developed plant architecture, melliferous and fragrant spring flowering and autumn foliage effect give it high ornamental and landscape value, making it suitable for private and public outdoor green spaces, also in urban areas where it shows high resistance to drought and air pollution.

Varietal description

Robust, large tree, endemic in many European regions and widely used for both landscape and ornamental purposes. Expansive, rounded, very slender 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 climate requires a sunny exposure, but tolerates partly shady areas. It develops a medium deep root in the soil, with widespread secondary roots. It grows well in all soil types, however it prefers well-drained clay and sandy soils. Not very susceptible to shoots at the collar. Multifunctional tree, suitable for park areas, urban and rural avenues, gardens, industrial and residential green areas. Has excellent drought resistance and adaptability to coastal areas. Resistant to pathogens and tolerates pruning, which must be oriented towards maintaining the shape while respecting the architecture of the foliage. It includes many varietal selections, differing in habit and colouration, but all suitable for urban and landscape greenery.

curiosity and special features

The term linden derives from 'ptilon' or wing, referring to the bract of the fruiting peduncle that facilitates the diffusion of the fruit by the wind, while the specific epithet derives from 'platys' or broad and 'phyllon' or leaf to emphasise the characteristic of having larger leaves than other species of the same botanical genus.

Dried bracts and flowers of the local linden tree are used in herbal medicine for the preparation of calming herbal teas, and an aromatic, fresh-tasting honey is also made from the linden tree.

Origin and Diffusion

Endemic species of the Euro-Caucasian and Central-Southern European range.

The crossbreeding T. cordata x T.platyphyllos gave rise to the hybrid Tilia x europaea, known as Common Lime.

Leaf

The leaves, which are larger than in wild linden, have the characteristic heart-shaped, toothed lamina, initially pubescent on both sides while later the upper page loses its pubescence, which remains on the lower page or at the axil of the veins as well as on the petiole.

Flowering period

Flowering lasts from late spring to mid-spring for 10 to 20 days, displaying pendulous inflorescences bearing highly fragrant hermaphrodite flowers.

Leaf color

Solid colour.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 5 to 30 m, making it a first-class tree.

Lifespan

Polyennial deciduous plant.

Suggested planting locations

Due to the size achieved and the developed vegetative habitus, it is suitable for cultivation in Full Field

Stem/stem

The stem is woody with bark that is at first grey and smooth and then becomes darker and wrinkled with longitudinal stripes.

Flower

The flower has a simple, small form with a crown corolla and single-coloured petals. It flowers from mid- to late spring, with a flowering period of between 10 and 20 days. It has sweet and honey notes and is fragrant with an intense aroma. It is attractive to bees, butterflies and bumblebees.

Growth

Variety with medium to vigorous growth.

Plant habit

The developed habitus is erect with a columnar stem and dense rounded foliage.

branching

The developed branching is abundant with ascending, strong branches.

pH

Native lime prefers soils with a slightly acidic to neutral pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.0.

soil preparation

Before transplanting in late autumn or late winter, choose the most suitable location, in relation to the needs of the plant, and use a spade to make the planting hole at least one third larger than the volume of roots or root ball, also remove weeds and bulky pebbles. Carry out a background fertilisation by burying slow-release organic or chemical fertiliser specifically for ornamental plants.

sun exposure

When transplanting, choose an exposure in half shade, full sun to encourage proper vegetative development of the plant.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 0.0 and 30 °C.

Use

The ornamental value conferred by the architecture of the vegetative habitus as well as the autumnal foliage effect makes the native lime tree suitable for use in:

Outdoor ornamental Outdoor landscape design Landscaping

Hardiness

A variety with medium to high hardiness, it is adapted to different growing environments, including urban ones where it shows excellent drought resistance.

Soil/medium

It adapts to different soil conditions, but the ideal planting soil is preferably of medium texture and well draining.

Maintenance

Easy cultivation requires an overall low level of management effort.

cultivation tips

Some specific cultivation tips for best growth and development performance:

Avoid over-watering Exposure to direct light

planting

For transplanting, adopt an average density of 1500 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 'the right plant in the right place'.

It is advisable to prune roots that are too long when transplanting and to reduce ramifications if they are very dense, also wet the root system with water and symbiotic mushroom or mycorrhiza mix and proceed by placing the root ball in the previously dug planting hole, keeping it well compacted around the root and keeping the plant's collar off the soil surface.

pruning

Carry out regular pruning to shape the form and determine the structure of the crown as well as define the scaffolding of the branches. In addition, carry out small pruning operations to remove dried out or damaged parts.

Indiscriminate pruning of stems 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 failure of the entire specimen.

Reproduction/Propagation

Multiplication can be by seed or cuttings.

Irrigation

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.

Fertilization

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

Edibility for humans

Non-edible Species

advise 1

Pruning should be avoided, as it causes suckers to sprout at the crown or on the stem.