Tilia x europaea ‘Pallida’

This is a sizable deciduous tree, reaching heights of over 30m/6ft, characterised by ascending branches that form a broadly conical crown. Its leaves are mid-green, rounded or ovate in shape, with serrated edges and yellow-green undersides. The twigs exhibit a reddish hue in winter. Notably, the leaves tend to emerge earlier and also transition to autumnal colours sooner compared to the species. Another distinctive feature is that the Pallida has much less of a suckering issue.

Compared to Tilia x europaea, Pallida has a more compact spread, making it well-suited for formal avenues. One of the most renowned examples can be found in Berlin, along the famous lime avenue known as Unter den Linden, which originally extended from the palace to the city gates. Unfortunately, the trees that survived World War Two were eventually cut down for firewood, leading to the planting of the present Pallida avenue in 1950.

Like Tilia x europaea varieties, they are susceptible to aphid infestations, resulting in honeydew and sooty moulds. On a positive note, they are attractive to a variety of insects, including bees and butterflies. Much like most Tilias, they are fully frost resistant and can thrive in various soil types as long as proper drainage is ensured.