Linds not only have extremely good qualities as park, garden and avenue trees. Their tireless joy in reproduction is also cause for astonishment. Below we give you an overview of their reproductive ingenuity.
How to propagate a linden tree?
Linds can be propagated in three different ways: vegetatively through root spawn or shoots and generatively through the usual seed propagation, in which pollinators fertilize the flowers. The latter method uses wind dispersal and may take longer to germinate.
The he althy art preservation morale of Linden
Linden trees live according to Darwin’s principle. They are determined to preserve their species and show a truly astonishing level of determination. This is particularly evident in their great ingenuity when it comes to propagation. Basically, linden trees are capable of multiplying in two ways:
- vegetative, i.e. asexual via cell division
- generative, i.e. via pollination and seed sowing
The vegetative variants
Vegetative reproduction is based solely on the principle of cell division. So there is no sexual process involved here. Within the vegetative propagation the linden tree has two variants available:
- Rootspawn
- Hock rash
Rootspawn
Root sprouts are shoots that arise from buds on roots that run above ground. The linden tree masters this method excellently. New shoots can easily be formed around a fully grown specimen, which are also suitable for replanting. However, the prerequisite for the root spawn to form is damage to the mother tree, usually a wound, which results in a disruption of the growth material balance.
Hock rash
In the so-called cane rash, the linden tree resorts to “sleeping eyes”. Secondary buds that form around a main bud are referred to as such. They basically have the role of a jumper - because they are only needed if the plant loses a branch or trunk. In this case, the sleeping bud can come to life and form a new plant organ.
Specifically, this is demonstrated by the fact that a new shoot emerges from a cut lime branch or even from a tree stump after it has been felled.
You can also use this property of the linden tree by cutting and growing wooden cuttings for propagation.
The generative method
This is the usual seed propagation process in which the flowers need to be fertilized by pollinators. Bees in particular are important pollinators for the lime tree. The formed seed fruits are carried away by the wind on a long, narrow bract in order to be able to seed in a new location.
As a rule, a mature seed fruit takes a relatively long time to germinate. A fruit that is harvested while still green can sprout immediately.
