{"product_id":"greenspire-littleleaf-linden","title":"Greenspire Littleleaf Linden","description":"\u003ch1\u003eThe Classic Boulevard Linden, Built for Tough Twin Cities Streets\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGreenspire Littleleaf Linden (\u003cem\u003eTilia cordata\u003c\/em\u003e 'Greenspire') is the most widely planted littleleaf linden in North America, and for good reason: a strong central leader, dense and uniform pyramidal-to-oval crown, neat heart-shaped leaves, and intensely fragrant pale-yellow flowers that draw bees and pollinators every early summer. It's a tough, dependable workhorse — tolerant of clay, compacted, and urban soils — and reliably hardy through USDA zone 3, finishing in clean golden yellow. Whether you want a uniform boulevard tree in St. Paul, a low-fuss shade tree in a Woodbury yard, or a pollinator-friendly specimen in Edina, Greenspire is a proven performer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGreenspire Littleleaf Linden Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttribute\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetail\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTilia cordata\u003c\/em\u003e 'Greenspire'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGreenspire Littleleaf Linden, Littleleaf Linden, Greenspire Linden\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40–50 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25–35 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate — about 1–2 feet per year in Minnesota\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to part shade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate. Prefers consistent moisture; adapts to most soils with adequate water while establishing.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) — exceptionally cold-hardy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery adaptable. Tolerates Minnesota clay-loam, compacted, and urban soils; prefers moist, slightly alkaline loam. Handles a wide pH range.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeciduous — small, neat heart-shaped leaves; dense pyramidal-oval crown\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBloom\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFragrant pale-yellow flowers in early summer — excellent pollinator forage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFall Color\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGolden yellow\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to USDA zone 3 — proven in Twin Cities winters\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow — deer browse young lindens; protect the trunk and lower branches the first few years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePollinator Value\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHigh — lindens are legendary nectar sources for honeybees and native bees\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Status\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot native — littleleaf linden is native to Europe. A tough, widely planted ornamental and street tree.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGreenspire Littleleaf Linden Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBoulevard and Street Tree\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the use Greenspire was made for. Its strong central leader, tidy uniform crown, and tolerance of compacted urban soil have made it the default boulevard linden across the country. It lines a street beautifully and needs little corrective pruning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eUniform Shade Tree\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a yard that wants a clean, predictable shade tree, Greenspire delivers a dense, even canopy on a manageable 40–50 foot scale — smaller and tidier than American linden, which suits mid-size Twin Cities lots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollinator-Friendly Specimen\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fragrant early-summer flowers are a magnet for honeybees and native bees, making Greenspire a strong choice for Minnesota gardeners who want a shade tree that also feeds pollinators — a nice fit alongside Lawns to Legumes plantings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Greenspire Littleleaf Linden in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in \u003cstrong\u003espring (late April–May, after the ground thaws)\u003c\/strong\u003e for a full growing season of root establishment, or in \u003cstrong\u003eearly fall (late August–early October)\u003c\/strong\u003e while the soil is still warm. Get it in the ground at least six weeks before the ground freezes — typically mid-November in the Twin Cities. Avoid mid-summer planting in heat and humidity, and never plant after mid-October or before spring thaw.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Greenspire Littleleaf Linden\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep — 2–3x the root ball width but only as deep as the ball is tall, so the root flare sits at or slightly above grade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheck for clay hardpan — if water pools and won't drain, break through the clay layer or mound-plant slightly to improve drainage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with the native soil mixed with 20–30% compost; don't build a pure-compost \"container\" the roots won't grow beyond.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpacing — give a single specimen 25–30 feet of clearance; space a boulevard row or allee 30–35 feet apart.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild a 3–4 inch watering ring to direct water to the roots, then flatten it before winter so it doesn't trap ice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch with 2–3 inches of shredded bark or wood chips in a wide ring, kept 2 inches off the trunk. Never use gravel mulch in Minnesota — it doesn't insulate roots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Greenspire Littleleaf Linden in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeeks 1–2: water deeply and slowly every 1–2 days. Month 1–2: every 3–4 days. Month 3–6: every 5–7 days during active growth, easing off when rainfall is adequate (the Twin Cities average about 3 inches a month from June through August). \u003cstrong\u003eStop watering 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes\u003c\/strong\u003e — usually late October — so the tree doesn't push tender growth heading into winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn established Greenspire appreciates consistent moisture but largely cares for itself, needing supplemental water mainly during extended droughts (two-plus weeks with no rain and temps above 80°F). Soak deeply to 8–12 inches every 7–14 days during dry spells.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Greenspire Littleleaf Linden survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — easily. It's rated to USDA zone 3 and is reliably hardy in Twin Cities winters. Wrap the young trunk the first winter to prevent sunscald and buck rub.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it native to Minnesota?\u003c\/strong\u003e No — littleleaf linden is native to Europe. It's a tough, extremely popular street and shade tree. If you'd prefer a native, our American linden selections (Redmond, American Sentry, Boulevard) are basswood, which is Minnesota-native.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it good for pollinators?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. Like all lindens, the fragrant early-summer flowers are a top nectar source for honeybees and native bees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre there any pests to know about?\u003c\/strong\u003e Lindens can attract Japanese beetles and aphids; aphid feeding sometimes leaves a sticky honeydew beneath the tree. Both are usually cosmetic on an established tree, but keep it in mind before planting directly over a patio or driveway.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it tolerate clay and urban soil?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — exceptionally well. Greenspire handles compacted, clay, and tough city soils and a wide pH range, which is why it's such a dependable boulevard tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRedmond Linden\u003c\/strong\u003e — a larger native American linden with bold leaves and fragrant pollinator bloom.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAmerican Sentry Linden\u003c\/strong\u003e — a narrower, uniform native linden ideal for boulevards.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBoulevard Linden\u003c\/strong\u003e — a narrow, upright native linden for tighter spaces.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eState Street Miyabe Maple\u003c\/strong\u003e — another tough, uniform boulevard tree for hard urban sites.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrinceton American Elm\u003c\/strong\u003e — a Dutch-elm-disease-resistant native elm with a classic vase shape.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Greenspire Lindens Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne tree shades a typical yard — give it 25–30 feet of clearance from buildings for its 25–35-foot crown. Greenspire's real magic is in rows: for a boulevard or driveway allee, plant 30–35 feet on center (a 150-foot frontage takes 5–6 trees). Because every Greenspire is genetically identical, a row matures into the perfectly uniform colonnade you see on classic St. Paul streets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGreenspire Littleleaf Linden Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Neat heart-shaped leaves unfold into a dense, even pyramid — one of the tidiest leaf-outs of any shade tree.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Intensely fragrant pale-yellow flowers in late June–early July hum audibly with honeybees and native bees; the dense crown casts deep, cooling shade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Clean golden-yellow color that drops tidily — small leaves break down fast and rake easily.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e The strong central leader and symmetrical branching read like architecture against the snow, especially in matched rows.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Shade-Tolerant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/american-sentry-linden\"\u003eAmerican Sentry Linden\u003c\/a\u003e — a native basswood alternative with the same uniform boulevard habit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/boulevard-linden\"\u003eBoulevard Linden\u003c\/a\u003e — a narrower native linden for the tighter spots in the same streetscape.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/state-street-miyabe-maple\"\u003eState Street Miyabe Maple\u003c\/a\u003e — a salt-tough boulevard partner that breaks up an all-linden row.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/accolade-elm\"\u003eAccolade Elm\u003c\/a\u003e — a disease-resistant vase-shaped elm for variety in a large street planting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Greenspire Littleleaf Linden Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose Greenspire if you want a tidy, uniform, pollinator-feeding shade tree that tolerates clay, compaction, and city conditions — it's the proven boulevard workhorse for zone 4. It's not a fit for high deer-pressure yards without trunk protection (deer browse young lindens), and think twice about siting it directly over a patio or parked cars — aphid honeydew and Japanese beetles can be a nuisance some summers.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"2\"BB","offer_id":54260804452657,"sku":"GT-T4180","price":411.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2.5\"BB","offer_id":54260804485425,"sku":"GT-T4181","price":466.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3\"BB","offer_id":54260804518193,"sku":"GT-T4182","price":521.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/greenspire-littleleaf-linden.jpg?v=1779426697","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/greenspire-littleleaf-linden","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}