A Native Shade Tree That Fills the Yard With Fragrant Pollinator Bloom

Redmond Linden (Tilia americana 'Redmond') is a classic shade tree prized for its uniform pyramidal-to-oval form, dense canopy of bold heart-shaped leaves, and intensely fragrant pale-yellow flowers that draw bees and pollinators from across the neighborhood each early summer. A selection of our native basswood, it's tough, adaptable, and reliably hardy through USDA zone 3, finishing the season in clean golden yellow. Whether you want a stately shade tree for a Maple Grove backyard, a pollinator powerhouse in an Edina garden, or a dependable boulevard tree in St. Paul, Redmond is a Upper Midwest favorite.

Redmond Linden Plant Details

Redmond Linden Uses in Minnesota Landscapes

Stately Shade Tree

Redmond's dense, uniform crown casts deep, even shade and develops into a grand, long-lived tree. Its tidy pyramidal-oval shape needs little corrective pruning, making it a low-fuss centerpiece for larger Twin Cities yards.

Pollinator and Native Garden Anchor

Few shade trees feed pollinators like a linden. The fragrant early-summer flowers are a magnet for honeybees and native bees — a major draw for Minnesota gardeners working with the Lawns to Legumes program. As a native basswood selection, Redmond also supports local wildlife and fits naturalized plantings.

Boulevard and Municipal Tree

Its uniform form and tolerance of urban soil and a wide pH range make Redmond a long-standing choice for boulevards and municipal plantings across the Upper Midwest. Keep it back from the heaviest direct road-salt spray.

Best Time to Plant Redmond Linden in Minnesota

Plant in spring (late April–May, after the ground thaws) for a full growing season of root establishment, or in early fall (late August–early October) 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.

How to Plant Redmond Linden

1. Dig 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.
2. Check for clay hardpan — if water pools and won't drain, break through the clay layer or mound-plant slightly to improve drainage.
3. Backfill with the native soil mixed with 20–30% compost; don't build a pure-compost "container" the roots won't grow beyond.
4. Spacing — give a single specimen 30–35 feet of clearance from buildings and other large trees; space a boulevard row or allee 35–40 feet apart.
5. Build a 3–4 inch watering ring to direct water to the roots, then flatten it before winter so it doesn't trap ice.
6. Mulch 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.

Watering Redmond Linden in Minnesota

First Year Watering Schedule

Weeks 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). Stop watering 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes — usually late October — so the tree doesn't push tender growth heading into winter.

After Year One

An established Redmond 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.

Will Redmond Linden survive a Minnesota winter? Yes — easily. It's rated to USDA zone 3 and is one of the hardiest large shade trees for the Twin Cities. Wrap the young trunk the first winter to prevent sunscald and buck rub.

Is it native to Minnesota? Yes. American linden (Tilia americana), also called basswood, is native to Minnesota and a key part of our hardwood forests. 'Redmond' is a selected cultivar bred for a uniform pyramidal form.

Is it good for pollinators? Outstanding. Lindens are among the best nectar trees there are — the fragrant early-summer flowers hum with honeybees and native bees, making Redmond a top pick for pollinator-focused Minnesota landscapes.

Are there any pests to know about? Lindens can attract Japanese beetles and aphids; aphid feeding sometimes leaves a sticky honeydew on whatever sits beneath the tree. Both are usually cosmetic on an established tree, but keep that in mind before planting directly over a patio or driveway.

Does it tolerate clay soil? Yes. Redmond handles Minnesota clay-loam and a wide pH range, including the slightly alkaline soils common in the metro, which makes it easy to place.

You May Also Like

• American Sentry Linden — a narrower, uniform native linden ideal for boulevards.
• Greenspire Littleleaf Linden — a classic, smaller-leaved linden with a tidy pyramidal form.
• Boulevard Linden — a narrow, upright native linden for tighter spaces.
• Princeton American Elm — a Dutch-elm-disease-resistant native elm with a classic vase shape.
• Red Sunset Red Maple — a fast-growing shade tree with brilliant orange-red fall color.

How Many Redmond Lindens Do I Need?

Redmond is a large specimen shade tree — one anchors a typical yard. Give a single tree 30–35 feet of clear width from buildings, wires, and other large trees. For a boulevard row or formal allee on a larger property, space trees 35–40 feet on center (a 120-foot frontage takes 4 trees). For a pollinator-focused landscape, one linden plus an understory of flowering shrubs and perennials does more for bees than several of almost anything else.

Redmond Linden Season-by-Season in Minnesota

• Spring: Big, heart-shaped leaves unfold into a dense, uniform pyramidal crown of fresh green.
• Summer: The headline season — intensely fragrant pale-yellow flowers in early summer hum audibly with honeybees and native bees, followed by deep, cooling shade all season.
• Fall: The canopy turns a clean golden yellow before dropping its leaves.
• Winter: A strong central leader and symmetrical branch structure give the bare tree a stately silhouette; buds and twigs feed overwintering wildlife.

At a Glance

✔ Minnesota Native   ✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Shade-Tolerant

Plant It With

• American Sentry Linden — the narrower native linden; use it where the boulevard strip is too tight for Redmond.
• Greenspire Littleleaf Linden — a finer-textured linden cousin for a coordinated street planting.
• Boulevard Linden — upright native form that pairs with Redmond for a layered linden grove.
• Princeton American Elm — a vase-shaped native companion for a classic Upper Midwest canopy mix.

Is Redmond Linden Right for Your Yard?

Redmond thrives in full sun to part shade in most Minnesota soils — clay-loam and alkaline pH included — and wants consistent moisture and real room: plan for 50–75 feet of height and a 30–35 foot spread. It's the top choice if you want a native shade tree that feeds pollinators. Young trees need trunk and branch protection from deer. It's not a fit for small lots, spots under wires, or directly over a patio or parked cars — aphid honeydew can be sticky — and in high-deer areas an unprotected young linden will get browsed.