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-shaped bracts. Silvery fuzz on the leaf undersides, which helps the tree resist drought, 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 holds on until 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.