Tilia cordata

Winterlinde / Linden

Malvaceae (Kaasjeskruidfamilie)

Edible plant part (2)

Flowers, leaves
Read 'form of consumption' for safe preparation methods

Toxic plant part (1)

None

Linden belongs to the canopy layer in the food forest. In the process of ecological succession it is a late species. The growth rate is slow. Fully grown the plant has an average height of 8 to 30 meter. and a width of 6 to 15 meter.
The foliage (or leaf cover) is dense. The Linden is decidious. It buds in april and it loses its leaves in november.
This species forms a deep root system. This species is slightly spreading in the food forest.

Disclaimer: The types of cultivars and hybrids in this database have been carefully chosen for good quality properties for food forests. They do not mean instant success. Food forestry is still a young field in which it is a core value to have the right plant in the right place and to focus on great diversity.

foto: Emőke Dénes, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Malvales_-_Tilia_cordata_-_5.jpg

foto: Emőke Dénes, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Malvales_-_Tilia_cordata_-_5.jpg

https://i1.pickpik.com/photos/512/377/242/leaf-individually-linde-lipovina-f6f8ae9719de15a22da2f8f31447737e.jpg

foto: Andreas Rockstein, https://www.flickr.com/photos/74738817@N07/44355371605

Growth factors

Frost (whole plant): very strong frost

cold frost

mild frost

light frost

no frost
Frost (flowers): very strong frost

cold frost

mild frost

light frost

no frost
Light: full sun

light shade

half shade

fairly deep shade

deep shade
Wind: strong sea wind

strong wind

some wind

sheltered

very sheltered
Soil texture: sand

loam

light clay

heavy clay

peat
Soil moisture: inundation

wet

moist

dry

drought
Groundwater level: very low

low

medium

high

very high
Soil acidity: very acid

acid

neutral

alkaline

very alkaline
Soil fertility: very rich

rich

average

poor

very poor

Voorkeur

Ongeschikt

Flowering and pollination

Flowering period (peak): early june, mid june, end of june
Flowering period (length): several weeks
Pollination vector: insects
Plant reproductive fertility: self-fertile (sf)

Life Span and Plant Health

Disease susceptibility

very resistant

Main serious pests and diseases

none applicable

Harvest and Consumption

Flowers

Leaves

Harvest location edible part: High, but within reach
Harvesting period - uniformity: Low
Suitable harvesting methods: Hand
Natural storability: Day
Suitable markets: Niche
Productive life span - start (year) - minimum: 3
Productive life span - peak (year) - minimum: 10
Productive life span - end (year) - maximum: 500

Harvest location edible part: High, but within reach
Harvesting period - start: Early may, mid may, end of may, early june, mid june, end of june
Harvesting period - length: Several months
Harvesting period - uniformity: Low
Suitable harvesting methods: Hand
Form of consumption: Fresh
Natural storability: Day
Suitable markets: Niche
Productive life span - start (year) - minimum: 3
Productive life span - peak (year) - minimum: 10
Productive life span - end (year) - maximum: 500

Culinary appreciation

A salad leaf that rivals the quality of average lettuces, particularly delicious in salads. A good replacement for annual lettuce varieties.

References