Small-leaved Lime (Tilia cordata): colours, meaning, where it grows and when it blooms

Small-leaved lime is a large deciduous tree found across Europe, known for its heart-shaped leaves and clusters of sweetly scented yellow-green flowers in early summer. People plant it for shade, woodcarving, and as a source of linden tea and honey, and it is a national symbol in several European countries.

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Produces clusters of fragrant yellow-green flowers in early summer
A source of linden tea and monofloral honey across Europe
National tree of Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Latvia
Wood used for fine carvings and lightweight objects
Some specimens are over 700 years old

What does Small-leaved Lime look like?

Small-leaved lime is a tall tree, often reaching 20 to 40 meters, with a rounded or pyramidal crown and upright branches. Its bark starts out smooth and grey, developing ridges as it ages. The leaves are heart-shaped, 3 to 8 cm long, with small brown tufts of hair at the vein junctions. In early summer, it produces clusters of yellow-green, strongly scented flowers above a leafy bract, which attract many bees. The fruit is a small, thin-shelled nut containing one or two seeds.

Where does Small-leaved Lime come from?

This tree grows wild in many parts of Europe and into western Asia, thriving in both rich loam and sandy soils. It is found from Britain and Scandinavia to the Caucasus, and at higher elevations in southern areas. In Britain, it is a sign of ancient woodland, though now rare. Some trees in Germany are said to be over a thousand years old. The species has been present in the Lake District since prehistoric times, and its pollen shows it once dominated certain woodlands.

When and how Small-leaved Lime blooms

Small-leaved lime flowers in early summer, producing clusters of scented blooms. It prefers moist, well-drained soils but can survive on poorer ground and even tolerate flooding. The tree is planted in parks, streets, and gardens for shade and its formal shape. It can be pruned heavily and is sometimes trained as bonsai or espalier. It is hardy to cold winters but does not tolerate drought or salty soils.

How Small-leaved Lime is used

People plant this tree for its dense shade and attractive form. Its flowers are gathered for herbal teas in many European countries, and bees use them to make linden honey. The young leaves can be eaten in salads, and cattle graze on them. The pale wood is valued for fine carving and lightweight objects. The tree is also a national symbol in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Latvia, and Slovenia.

Kinds of Small-leaved Lime

Several cultivated forms exist, such as 'Corinthian' with compact growth and dark leaves, 'Greenspire' for street planting, 'June Bride' with many flowers, and 'Winter Orange' with colorful stems. Tilia cordata often hybridizes with Tilia platyphyllos, producing the common lime (Tilia × europaea).

What Small-leaved Lime means

Small-leaved lime holds cultural importance as a national tree in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Latvia, and its leaf is a symbol in Slovenia. In Germany and Slovenia, ancient trees serve as gathering places and sites for events. The wood has been used for historic carvings and church decorations, and the tree appears in literature and tradition as a sacred or special species.

Questions people ask about Small-leaved Lime

Where does the small-leaved lime come from?

It is native to much of Europe and parts of western Asia, growing wild in forests and woodlands from Britain and Scandinavia to the Caucasus.

What does the small-leaved lime look like?

It is a tall deciduous tree with heart-shaped leaves, a rounded crown, and clusters of yellow-green, fragrant flowers that appear in early summer.

How is the small-leaved lime used?

Its flowers are used for herbal tea, bees make linden honey from them, young leaves are edible, and its wood is prized for carving. It is also planted for shade and as a street tree.

What does the small-leaved lime symbolise?

It is a national symbol in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Latvia, and Slovenia, often representing heritage and community.

Is the small-leaved lime important for wildlife?

Yes, its flowers attract many bees, and its leaves are eaten by cattle and various insects. It is also a sign of ancient woodland in Britain.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Tilia cordata", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

Mallow: Luis Fernández García, CC BY-SA 2.5 es, source

Indian mallow: This photography was created by Mariluna . Other photos see here ., CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Linden: Bruce Marlin, CC BY 3.0, source

Hibiscus: Marshman at en.wikipedia / Eric Guinther, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Bee orchid: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Spring snowflake: Dominicus Johannes Bergsma., CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Dożynki: Unknown author, Public domain, source

Small-leaved Lime