Winter linden tree is a popular street and park tree in Central Europe that is undemanding and has a wide range of uses in natural medicine and in local customs. Countless names of people, places and inns contain the word “Linde”, which is evidence of their great popularity.
Why is the winter lime tree of the year?
The winter linden tree was chosen as the tree of the year because it is used in many ways in natural medicine and customs, blooms late and is therefore an important pasture for bees, as well as providing a habitat for birds and providing shade.
“Tree of the Year – Dr. Every year, the Silvius Wodarz Foundation chooses a local tree as Tree of the Year. This serves the purpose of getting people interested in trees, promoting a conscious use of trees and imparting knowledge about them as well as pointing out endangered species.
What makes winter linden tree a special tree?
Compared to all other native trees, the winter linden tree (bot. Tilia cordata) only blooms at the end of June. At this time it is valued by beekeepers as a late bee pasture. With its broadly branched crown, the winter linden tree provides shade on hot days and provides a habitat for various birds. In naturopathy, lime blossom tea is used for colds. The linden tree has been at the center of literature, music and art painting for centuries. It is thanks to this diversity that the winter linden tree was named tree of the year.
Appearance and habitat
The winter linden tree can reach a height of up to 30 meters and an age of up to 1000 years. Its trunk can be several meters thick, although the winter linden tree is the more delicate compared to its “big sister” the summer linden tree. The best way to distinguish between the two types of linden trees is by their leaves. The leaves of the winter linden tree have the following characteristics:
- small and almost circular in shape,
- have a light underside with brownish armpit beards,
- the autumn color is bright golden yellow.
The winter lime tree's requirements for light, water, warmth and nutrients are not very high. After felling, it sprouts strongly from the tree stump. With the exception of the far north, the winter linden tree can be found throughout Europe in mixed deciduous forests, in cities and on roadsides. Because of its tall growth and its shady crown, the winter linden tree has always been popular for planting in public places and was a popular meeting place for lovers.
Tip
Dancing linden trees mean linden trees with a dance floor built into their crown. This could be reached via ladders. Today people still dance and celebrate in some dance halls.
