Linden (Tilia)
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Introduction
A tree known by many names and for its many uses, Tilia americana is a medium to large deciduous broadleaf native to southeast New Brunswick and naturalized in parts of Nova Scotia and D'Laniger Peninsula. An important tree to a variety of animals, including Luperci, several of its parts can be harvested for a multitude of uses. Courtesy of its propensity to produce plenty of sap, it is incredibly valuable to bees, among other pollinators, and ants will form mutualistic relationships with aphids who feed on it. The American Linden's wood, which is fine-grained and soft, is relatively easy to harvest and the tree will respond to coppicing, especially when young, as it will readily send out new shoots from its base if its trunk is cut or damaged.
- Toxicity: Non-Toxic
American Linden
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American Lindens can reach heights of 60–120ft (18–37m) and widths of 3–5ft (1–1.5m) when mature. Young trees appear conical in shape but their domes gradually round out as they age and branches take on a more spreading, pendulous growth pattern. The leaves of the American Linden are a rich green during the growing season and are often marred with red bugle galls. Its yellow, fragrant flowers bloom in the summer months, leaving behind a light tan nutlet attached to a pale green bracht. As autumn approaches, the leaves turn yellow or brown before falling.
Prefers rich, well-drained, loamy soils in upland mesic areas (such as mesic ravines).
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Visual References |
'Souls
- Hey, did your character do something cool with this plant?
- Or maybe your pack has it for trade?
Additional Resources
- Tilia americana — Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
- Ant/Aphid Farming — Wikipedia
- Eriophyid Mites — UMN Extension
- The Basswood — Halifax Tree Project
- Linden — ASPCA
- Tilia americana — Canadian Wildlife Federation
- Tilia americana — PFAF