Tilia cordata ‘Böhlje’ was selected around 1890 by the former Böhlje nursery in Oldenburg, Germany. This selection has been marketed in the past under various names, including Tilia parvifolia ‘Typ Bohlje’, Tilia ‘Erecta’, and Tilia ‘Select’, but these names are no longer valid. It is an excellent avenue tree selection of the European native small-leaved lime, Tilia cordata. The tree develops a strong central leader and forms a narrow pyramidal crown that eventually becomes broader pyramidal while remaining densely branched. This shape is enhanced by branches that extend horizontally at the lower part of the tree and rise at increasingly steeper angles higher up the crown. Ultimately, the tree reaches a height of approximately ten to fifteen meters and a width of six to nine meters.
The heart-shaped leaves are nearly round and relatively small. They emerge fresh green in spring, change to dark green during summer with a bluish-green underside, and turn a beautiful yellow in autumn. The twigs are conspicuously brown. The trunk of cultivar ‘Böhlje’ remains smooth for a long time, making attention to sunscald advisable. The tree flowers very profusely, and insects and butterflies are strongly attracted to the yellow-white flower clusters around June and July. For people as well, the flowering period is a delight due to the strong and pleasant lime fragrance. After flowering, small, round, gray, softly felted fruits are formed.
In practice, this selection is largely free of aphid infestation and therefore honeydew dripping. On poorer growing sites the tree may show susceptibility due to stress. It is very wind-firm and tolerant of sea wind, withstands paved conditions and air pollution, and also grows on drier soils. Most soil types are suitable provided they are well drained and not overly poor. Small-leaved limes tolerate considerable shade, although flowering will then be less abundant. Despite being an old cultivar, Tilia cordata ‘Böhlje’ possesses excellent characteristics for use in modern streets, avenues, parks, and gardens. The small leaf size and strong regrowth capacity also make this selection highly suitable for ornamental pruning and topiary.
