Tilia tomentosa, commonly known as silver linden or silver lime, is a deciduous tree that typically grows to a height of 20-30 meters (65-100 feet) with a spread of 10-15 meters (30-50 feet). It has a broadly pyramidal or oval-shaped crown when young, which becomes more rounded with age. The bark is smooth and grayish-brown when young, becoming darker and furrowed with age.
The leaves of Tilia tomentosa are alternate, simple, and heart-shaped, with serrated edges. They are dark green on the upper surface and densely covered with silvery-white hairs on the underside, giving the tree its characteristic silver appearance. The leaves turn yellow in the fall before dropping.
In late spring to early summer, Tilia tomentosa produces small, fragrant, pale yellow flowers that hang in clusters from slender stalks. These flowers attract bees and other pollinators and are followed by small, round, hairy fruits known as nutlets.
Tilia tomentosa prefers moist, well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade. It is tolerant of a wide range of soil types and pH levels but prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil. Hardy in zones 4-7.