Tree · Malvaceae family
silver linden
Tilia tomentosa
In short a 10-second read
Silver linden (tree) grows to 15–25 m tall and 12–18 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to part shade, in dry to average soil. It flowers in July; the flowers are yellow. Hardy to −29 °C.
× spread 12–18 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in dry to average soil. Hardy to −29 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
dry to average · watering: moderate
Soil: loamy, clay
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 20–50 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
July · yellow
Pruning
No pruning needed — just remove dead or damaged parts (July–December).
Planting
container plant: October–April; bare-root: October–March; root-balled: October–March
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −29 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −29 °C
- Deciduous — bare in winter
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does silver linden flower?
In July; the flowers are yellow.
Does silver linden tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does silver linden need?
At maturity 12–18 m wide and 15–25 m tall; recommended spacing 1200 cm.
Does silver linden survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −29 °C.
Where the data comes from
The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 17 October 2026.
Show sources (15)
- GBIF — Tilia tomentosa
- Okrasné škôlky (SK) — Listnaté stromy
- NC State Extension Plant Toolbox
- Van den Berk
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (species/match)
- Wikipedia (EN)
- RHS - Tilia tomentosa
- RHS - Shrubs and trees: light pruning
- RHS - Bleeding from pruning cuts
- RHS - Trees and shrubs: planting
- Clemson HGIC - Planting Trees Correctly
- RHS - How to grow trees
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: Slovakia, Czechia, Germany
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