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Tilia americana 'Moltkei'

Tilia americana 'Moltkei'

Moltkei American Linden

synonym Tilia x moltkei

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Description

Tilia americana ‘Moltkei’, commonly known as Von Moltke’s lime, was introduced around 1883 by the Späth nursery in Berlin, Germany, and was named after Field Marshal Von Moltke, who planted a specimen near the Späth residence in 1888. Regarding its origin, this selection was long considered to be a hybrid between Tilia americana and Tilia tomentosa (or sometimes Tilia tomentosa ‘Petiolaris’). According to current insights, however, it is classified as a cultivar of Tilia americana. The tree is fast growing and large, with a majestic appearance. Mature specimens typically reach twenty five to thirty meters in height and fifteen to twenty meters in width, forming a broad ovate crown with a strong, continuous central leader.

The leaves of Von Moltke’s lime are large and matte glossy dark green on the upper surface, with a light green underside covered in grayish hairs. In late July, hanging clusters of fragrant, pale yellow flowers appear, highly attractive to bees and other insects. After flowering, round, ribbed and woody fruits develop. On young trees the bark is smooth and gray, but with age it becomes irregularly and shallowly furrowed. The twigs are also smooth and olive green, often showing a reddish brown tint on the sun exposed side.

Tilia americana ‘Moltkei’ is very well suited for large planting sites as a solitary tree or as an avenue tree in parks and large gardens, where its full and impressive crown can develop freely. The tree performs best on fertile, well drained soils. Cultivar ‘Moltkei’ shows little susceptibility to aphids and is a valuable nectar source for bees, which makes it particularly popular with beekeepers.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees shade trees

Use

Location

avenue park large garden cemetery traffic areas, industrial zones countryside

Pavement

none none

Planting concepts

eco planting landscape planting shade-tolerant

Characteristics

Crown shape

wide egg-shaped wide egg-shaped

Crown structure

semi-open semi-open

Height

25 - 30 m

Width

15 - 20 m

Winter hardiness zone

5B - 8B

Aspects

Wind

tolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay peaty heavy clay light clay sand loamy soil all soils

Nutrient level

moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

moist

Light requirements

sun partial shade shade

pH range

acidic neutral alkaline

Host plant/forage plant

bees butterflies nectar value 5 pollen value 5

Extreme environments

tolerates air pollution limited to rare infestation by lice curiosity

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Photos

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leaves leaves
Tilia americana 'Moltkei' leaves

Flowers

Flowers

corymbose striking pendulous flower-scented

Flower colour

pale yellow

Flowering period

July

Leaves

Leaf colour

dark green underside pale green

Leaves

deciduous orbicular cordate big matt polished underside hairy serrate

Autumn colour

yellow

Fruits

Fruit colour

grey

Fruits

discrete nut

Bark

Bark colour

grey

Bark

slightly furrowed

Twigs

Twig colour

olive green

Twigs

bare pendulous

Root system

Root system

deep extensive highly branched central root

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Soil
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Extreme environments
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Plant characteristics
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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

Winter hardiness map
Planet Proof
MVO-Nederland
ISO-9001
ISO-14001
CO²-presentatieladder
Boomfeestdag
British Asssociation of Landscape Industries

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