Linden trees are best known to us as solid folk trees that spread their shady crowns on village squares, in front of traditional restaurants or in parks. It may be new to some people that they are also ideal for bonsai cultivation.
Is the linden tree suitable for bonsai and how do I care for it?
Linds are suitable as bonsai, especially the winter linden tree. With a deep branch base and smaller leaves, it can be kept compact. Care requires regular cutting, wiring, a sunny location, organic fertilization and sufficient watering.
A native tree transported to the kingdom of the East
The Japanese bonsai culture is thousands of years old and has its original roots in China. The Far Eastern gardening art of extremely well trained, small tree crops in pots has become particularly widespread in the West in recent years. In garden centers, bonsai trees are now just as much a part of the standard range as classic pansies.
The characteristics of bonsai culture at a glance:
- very old gardening art from Japan (origin China)
- very small shrub/tree culture in a pot
- gradual artificial deformation of the growth by cutting back branches and roots
- now also fashionable in the West
The lime tree as a bonsai candidate
If you want to get into the art of bonsai yourself and try your hand at artificially shaping a tree, you are well advised to choose a linden tree. The easy-care and shaping-tolerant deciduous tree tolerates this intensive artificial intervention very well and produces quick results. The wood of the linden tree is quite soft, which makes it of inferior quality for carpenters, but all the more valuable for bonsai artists. The good tolerance to pruning and the joy of budding complete the good bonsai properties of the linden tree.
What needs to be taken into account when it comes to linden bonsai
The lime tree species
Nevertheless, there are a few things to consider when it comes to linden bonsai. First of all, the type of linden tree is important. Only winter linden trees are primarily suitable for bonsai cultivation. On the one hand, they have a deep branch base and can therefore be kept smaller and more compact. On the other hand, they have smaller leaves than the summer linden tree, which looks more harmonious in terms of proportions.
Cutting and wiring
A lot of cutting can be done when shaping - if you avoid contaminating and bruising cuts, your bonsai tree will cope well. To shape the branch growth, you can also wire (pulling tension wires). However, you shouldn't let this linger for too long - the wires grow easily into the soft linden bark.
Location and care
A sunny location is best for the lime bonsai. It is slightly less frost hardy in a pot than outdoors. You should fertilize regularly with organic fertilizer (€27.00 on Amazon), as the linden tree is very sensitive to s alt. Water regularly, especially on hot summer days.
