The genus of deciduous trees tilia, or linden, has about 45 species. Most of them grow in temperate and subtropical climatic zones. Distribution range includes Europe, Southeast Asia, the Far East, the North American continent. The linden family belongs to relict ones that existed on the planet back in the preglacial period.
Description
Depending on soil fertility and illumination, both large woody forms of linden trees and small shrubs are found. In the natural environment, linden adapts to almost any habitat, but prefers well-moistened nutrient soils. These species are characterized by frost resistance, the ability to tolerate wind and drought.
A characteristic feature of limes is low disease susceptibility and pests.
Many species are long-livers, the age of trees is 300-400 years old, and instances of older ones are 1000-year-olds. Trunks of large species can reach a length of more than 30 m, trees begin to branch at an altitude of 1.5–2 m from the ground, by the age of 30 they usually mature.The bark of young plantings is brown or olive in color, smooth. In adult trees, it is dark thick, mottled with deep cracks. Crohn oval ovoid, very dense. The root system is powerful and developed, penetrates deep into the soil.
The leaves of the linden are heart-shaped, broad and rounded at the base and pointed to the ends, matte or dark green. These plants are excellent melliferous plants. In early June, fluffy yellowish flowers bloom on them, collected in inflorescences and secreting nectar. In the fall, linden fruits are formed in their place - small nuts with seeds.The flowering period lasts about 2-3 weeks. At this time, the tree emits a specific pleasant aroma that attracts bees. Lime honey is considered by many to be the most healthy and delicious. In addition, linden is a well-known medicinal plant, since its flowers and buds have a pronounced anti-inflammatory and diaphoretic effect. This plant material is part of the fees for the treatment of respiratory diseases and SARS.
Types of limes
Linden trees can grow alone, but most of the plantations are in forests. The "favorite" neighbors of these trees are ash, oaks, pines, maples, spruce. In addition to mixed forests, lindens form large-scale net stands.
In the wild and in cultural conditions, both pure and hybrid varieties of wood are found.
Small-leaved
Another name is the heart-shaped linden, due to the shape of the leaves. This species tolerates adverse environmental conditions, including strong winds, drought and frost. The tree can live up to 400 years or more. During growth, its trunks extend to a height of 25-30 m, branches form a spreading crown, similar to a tent : the upper shoots are directed upward, the middle shoots are almost horizontal, and the lower shoots look down. The leaves have a relatively small size - about 3-4 cm, a heart-shaped form and a pointed apex. The upper part is glossy and dark, the back is lighter, slightly roughened to the touch.In June, small-leaved linden is covered with fluffy panicles of inflorescences of 6-8 flowers; in August, small nuts with seeds inside ripen in their place.
This type of linden is common throughout Europe, including its Russian part, in the Caucasus, in Western Siberia.
Large leaf
This species is outwardly similar to small-leaved, but it tolerates severe frosts worse, therefore it grows mainly in the southern regions of Europe and the Caucasus. Many large-leaved lindens are real giants and long-livers: they are able to grow up to 500 years of age. In cross section, their trunks reach 80–100 cm, and rise to a height of 40 m in height.The leaves, in accordance with the name of the tree, have a large size - up to 14 cm, edges with small denticles, slightly pubescent on the back side. Crohn has an almost pyramidal shape. Inflorescences in this linden are much smaller than in small-leaved: 2–4 flowers each. The flowering period lasts 2 weeks from mid-June.
The large-leaved species prefers fertile soil, but the trees themselves improve its composition: the leaves falling in the fall quickly fade, forming humus. This linden is often planted in gardens and parks, as it has high decorative qualities, forms a dense shadow, purifies the air.
Common
This is a hybrid species formed in the natural environment through cross-pollination of large-leaved and small-leaved. It resembles relatives in properties, trunk height, and crown shape; it begins to bloom several weeks earlier - in late May or in the first days of June. Inflorescences - as in the small-leaved variety, the leaves are dark green, smooth, when flowering, they are covered with sweet juice, attracting bees.Common linden is a good honey plant. In addition, it is perfect for landscaping in urban conditions: it withstands gas polluted air, dust, winds, frosts, lack of sunlight, is not sensitive to drought.
Manchurian
It is found in Russia in the forests of the Far East, but, being planted in European regions, it takes root well in them. He likes moist soils, is frost-resistant, tolerates shaded areas well. The trunks of the Manchu linden are often forked and relatively low - the maximum height is about 20 m, the crown is sprawling and dense. The leaves of this species are very large - 25-30 cm, pubescent, inflorescences are also powerful, consist of 10-12 flowers.
Caucasian
This species prefers a warm, humid climate and fertile soils, grows in the forests of the Caucasus, Crimea, and is also found in Asia Minor. Caucasian linden lives up to 400 years, its trunks in diameter reach more than 1.5 m, and trees stretch to 35–40 m in height.Young shoots have a reddish tint, darkening with age. The leaves are large - up to 15 cm, bright green, slightly pubescent, on the underside have a lighter shade. The tree blooms in late June or early July, the inflorescences are large and fluffy, drooping down. The fruit is a nut about 1 cm in size with a seed inside.
European
The main habitat is mixed and deciduous forests of Western Europe. These trees live for 100–150 years, they look powerful: they reach 1.5–2 m in diameter and 40 m in height. The foliage is bright green, heart-shaped, its back part is rough. The crown is wide and thick, the bark of the tree is dark gray, in adults and old specimens covered with deep cracks.
Silver
This linden has pronounced differences from other species. The color of its foliage is dark green, the back side is grayish-silver, covered with a thick fluff.Thanks to this, the tree has a second name - felt. The leaves themselves are medium-sized - about 7-8 cm, at the height of summer, their edges turn a little inward, because of which the crown has a beautiful motley silver-green hue. In autumn, the foliage does not turn yellow, but dies, remaining long on the branches. The flowers are very small, yellowish.
Young shoots of felt linden are also pubescent, with time they become smooth. The bark of gray trees, as the trunks grow older, it darkens and coarsens.
The species is common in the Balkans, in Western Europe, Crimea, the Caucasus.
Reproduction and care
Planting lindens is a great way to create a beautiful landscape that is appropriate in the adjoining territories, in squares and parks. These trees improve the microclimate, fill the air with a pleasant aroma of flowers in the summer, and when planted outside the city, they allow you to collect and use healthy color.
It is possible to propagate trees with seeds, but it is very laborious and time-consuming. Not all of them retain germination, and, given the long dormancy period, you can wait for seedlings for more than one year. It is much more rational to use layering or root shoots of linden as planting material. To root the layering, the lateral lower shoots are tilted to the soil and fixed, slightly sprinkled with it. You will have to wait for roots for 1–2 years, then the branches simply need to be freed from the soil and separated from the tree. Doing this at the end of March.
From the roots of the linden new shoots break up quite often, you just need to carefully disconnect them from the mother plant. You can also purchase ready-made seedlings.
For planting, a mixture of turf soil, humus and sand is preferred. The pits are dug in proportion to the size of the roots of the seedlings, so that their upper part is at the same level with the surface. Drain from broken brick or small stones is laid at the bottom. The distance between the pits when planting several trees is at least 3 m.
Care for young lindens requires careful. In the first 2–3 years, weekly watering is required, fertilizing at least 1 time per month with nitrogen fertilizers. For winter, seedlings are important to insulate with mulch from sawdust or pine needles.Adult trees can not be watered, and they need to be fertilized 1-2 times a season.
Trimming branches in order to form a crown begins no earlier than the third year of life.
Wood
The massif is represented by an equally dense sapwood of pale yellow or pinkish color. The texture is poorly expressed, the natural pattern is a bit like a birch. The gloss of the surface is soft, slightly matte.
The quality characteristics of linden wood are slightly lower than that of pine or oak. The total drying factor is 0.58. In the process of preliminary drying, the wood almost does not warp and does not crack due to uniform moisture saturation. The density of dry lumber is about 450 kg / m³. Strength and resistance to mechanical stress in linden is small, similar to aspen wood.It is prone to swelling, poorly retains nails and staples, prone to rot and damage by fungus.
The advantages of linden are its plasticity and ease of processing: the material bends, cuts, cuts, is impregnated with dyes and stains, glued and polished.
From time immemorial they used linden for the construction of barns, they made hives, chests, chests, barrels for sauerkraut, vats for winemaking, made kitchen utensils: scoops, ladles, spoons, pots. The bast was especially appreciated: from a young bast weaved bast shoes, knitted matting.
Today linden is used in furniture and turning, toys, pencils, blanks for decoration are made from it. Lining from linden sheathe saunas and baths, made from boards shelves. Due to its low thermal conductivity, this wood reduces the likelihood of burns when touched in a hot room.