Winter linden tree can be easily distinguished from summer linden tree by its leaves. They are small, heart-shaped, darker on the upper side than on the underside, where they have rust-colored tufts of hair. The leaf surface, however, is smooth, almost leathery.
What does the leaf of a winter linden tree look like?
The winter linden tree leaf is 5-7 cm long, heart-shaped to circular, arranged alternately, with an irregularly serrated edge and a twisted tip. The upper side of the leaves is dark green and shiny, while the underside is blue-green and hairy brown.
Despite the name, the winter linden tree (Tilia cordata) is a deciduous deciduous tree that can grow up to 30 meters high and very old. The winter linden tree occurs naturally in mixed deciduous forests. People like to plant the winter linden tree along the streets and in green spaces. Tilia cordata is widespread throughout Central Europe, further north and east than the summer linden tree.
Leaves of the winter lime tree – size, shape and color
You can easily distinguish the winter linden tree from the summer linden tree by its leaves. The leaf of the winter linden tree has the following characteristic features:
- about 5-7 cm long and almost as wide,
- heart-shaped to circular,
- arranged alternately,
- Edge irregularly sawn,
- Tip twisted,
- Leaf stalk glabrous, about 2-5 cm long,
- dark green and shiny on top,
- Blue-green, brown hair on the underside.
You can tell a he althy tree by its leaves
The winter linden tree also tolerates shady locations well. In contrast to the summer linden tree, it does not require as much light. Its foliage does not form such a dense crown as can be seen with the summer linden tree. You can see the sky from below because the leaves let in more light. In autumn the leaves of the winter linden tree shine yellow. Infestation by pests or fungi is often first recognized by the leaves when they turn yellow or brown prematurely, develop spots or holes, or are shed prematurely.
Tip
One of the famous winter linden trees and a registered natural monument is the thousand-year-old linden tree, which grows in the Elsthal in Luckenwalde and is estimated to be around 750 years old.
