Silver linden (Tilia tomentosa)

very leafy trees that give a lot of shade

La tilia tomentosa It is a tree that belongs to the Tilaceae or Malvaceae family and it is a long-lived species that can reach up to 30 meters in height. In common language it is known as Silver Linden or Hungarian Linden. It owes its name to the dense cover of hair that covers the lower part of the underside. Natural of the regions of Russia and Hungary, It is a highly appreciated species for its multiple medicinal properties.

From

leaves of a tree called Silver linden

La tilia tomentosa It is native to the Caucasus area, especially the Russian region, although at present found in parks and gardens across the European continent. It is more common to find them at heights of up to 1.200 meters above sea level, in the cool and humid forests of the area.

Features Stormy tilia

The underside of its leaves has a characteristic silvery color that is particularly visible when the wind current moves its foliage, shining a brilliant glow as a result of the sun's rays. It has regular, globular and sometimes pyramidal foliage.

The trunk of the plant is straight covered by a grayish brown bark that becomes smooth with the passage of time. Oval leaves, sharp apex and serrated edges alternately arranged, bright green on the upper surface and glabrous on the reverse. During the fall they turn yellow.

The flowering season occurs between the months of June and July, a period in which an abundance of hermaphroditic flowers appears in hanging groups from which they emanate a pleasant fragrance very attractive to bees, which in turn collaborate in the pollination of the species. It has whitish fruits with an ovoid shape pointed at the apex.

It is a tree that grows in sunny spaces or under partial shade. In the wild it is seen in places with a continental climate, particularly in forests and where young plants take advantage of the shade offered by other trees. It is a species that due to its deep and expanded roots is widely used in land consolidation.

Varieties

There is a variety tillia tomentosa including various hybrids, among which are the Tilia cordata o wild linden which can be seen in mountainous regions, being one of the most appreciated thanks to its medicinal properties. There is also the European Tilia, which is one of the most aromatic species. Another, known as Tilia intermedia, widely spread in Russia and Germany, is used to make a fairly resistant fabric with its fiber. Finally, there is the Tilia americana, which is found in the wild in North America and whose wood is used for the production of packaging.

Plantation

It is a species that prefers fertile and well-drained soils, with a neutral or basic pH. It is a vigorous plant that adapts to many types of soils, even those that have a certain salinity. It tolerates pollution, low temperatures, drought, even poor and compact soils very well.

During the first years it is important to water regularly, especially in hot periods. So, young plants should be watered abundantly at least once a week. Older trees require plenty of water only during prolonged droughts or in those cases where the soil where it is planted is not too wet as a result of excessive drainage.

To reduce excess water, it may be helpful to prepare a thick blanket with leaves, straw, and other plant materials.

It is a species that requires little maintenance. Regularly, Tilia propagation occurs by seed after scarification, while its cultivation is done by grafting or cutting. In well-drained and well-textured soil, the plant can be achieved after the year has passed. In late winter, subsequent transplants can be resorted to using organic material and pumice stone in similar portions.

During the rooting period it is important to keep the soil with adequate humidity, but once this is obtained, frequent watering is not necessary. Regarding fertilization, it must be rich in nitrogen. Generally does not need pruning, can be pruned at first to give it a globular, oval or pyramidal appearance, according to the taste of the person.

Uses and applications

Tilia is a plant that has a large number of therapeutic applications thanks to its medicinal properties. It is used in homeopathy to make infusions, mother tinctures, macerates and dry extracts Because the species has ingredients that serve to combat anxiety, lack of sleep and nervousness.

In case of recurrent headache it is used as a natural analgesic. It helps in the treatment of premature ejaculation when it is the product of anxiety generated by stress. In this case, it is important to be attentive to the applied dose, which must be less than the case of insomnia to avoid a result contrary to the expected.

Its application is recommended in cases of gastritis and inflammation of the stomach lining and lining, also produced by stress and anxiety that affect people so much today. In the kids, its use is recommended as long as the appropriate dose is respected and its application responds especially as a sedative or calming.

Due to its deep root system that grows extensively, it is suitable for roads, large gardens, parks and to consolidate land. Some varieties produce a light but strong wood that is widely used in the manufacture of musical instruments.

It is a plant that, due to its quite aromatic flowering, attracts bees a lot, which is a problem for children. What's more, leaves buds and pollen in very large quantities, so its presence requires frequent cleaning in the spring time.

Diseases and pests

little flowers coming out of the linden tree

This is a tree that is sensitive to the massive attacks of aphids that, although it is true, do not cause irreparable damage to the species, they can generate risk for people or objects that are under its shade. This pest is the origin of the abundant fall of honeydew or honeydew And in the event of a severe infestation, it could significantly damage the tree. It can also be attacked by moths that feed on its foliage, causing serious damage.

Aphids on the underside of the leaf
Related article:
Aphids

The oniscides o mealybugs They feed on its sap until the plant is weakened. They secrete a kind of honeydew that attracts other pests that are very harmful to the plant. Mealybugs are located on the underside of the leaf due to their porosity. It is also prone to attacks by the Japanese beetle (popillia japonica) that feeds on its leaves. Other enemies are fungi, although it is quite resistant to honey fungi.

As is known, scented linden blossoms attract swarms of bees, which must be taken into account if you want to plant it in gardens and public spaces because the sting of bees is a risk for people allergic to them.


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