Tilia cordata little-leaf linden

Sterling silver linden on California Avenue. Sairus Patel, 19 Jun 2021

This most drought- and heat-tolerant of the lindens is at its most alluring from late May to June, when honey-scented flowers dangle beneath tongue-like bracts. Silvery fuzz on the leaf undersides helps confer its resistance to drought and contrasts with the deep green upper surfaces, lending the canopy a pleasing two-tone effect. To these already commendable qualities may be added a comely oval crown and decent yellow fall foliage that drops only around Thanksgiving. The bracts persist for a time on the bare limbs.

Several dozen of the cultivar ‘Sterling’ were planted along Palo Alto’s California Avenue business district in 2009 and have performed splendidly. Older specimens can be found elsewhere in the city. This distinguished linden has yet to appear on campus.