Linden Trees are Flowering

 

This is a view up through the leaves of the linden tree in front of my house. It is covered with flowers that smell like honey and lime. Click to enlarge.

Linden blossom begin to open in June and continue through mid-July. It's a big biological event that brings so many bees that the trees seem to hum. Linden are sometimes called "bee trees." Quieter insects are chewing lacy holes in the leaves. Look at the first picture again. See the light shining through all the little holes?

Linden blossoms. One of the nicest things about June. 

Linden Flowers

 

It happens the same way every year. I'm outside and I notice a wonderful smell. What is it? I look around and there's a linden tree covered with flowers. The air is full of their smell: bright, floral, sweet, piercing, lemony, honeyed, and delicious. It's happening on my street right now. Click to enlarge.

More linden flower buds about to open.

Here is the same tree in winter. And here is a haiku by Kobayashi Issa to consider while appreciating the scent of linden flowers: 

still I see them 

how they were ...

bare winter trees

Linden Time Again

The linden tree, Tilia americana, is also called basswood, lime tree, white wood, and bee tree. 
Click to enlarge. 

This blog is normally about wildlife, but I'm taking a moment to praise the linden trees that are blossoming in New York right now. In a city not noted for smelling good, the event is a delightful occasion.

Linden trees smell fresh, green, flowery, and sweet -- a little like melon, a little like honey. The smell wafts hauntingly around the trees and spreads on warm breezes. It makes me stop and inhale. It smells so good that I look forward to passing each linden on my daily route, especially a big old tree on the northeast corner of Central Park West at 66th street; its flower-covered branches droop over the sidewalk and diffuse perfume all around.

Lindens are native to eastern North America. They are common in cities, suburbs, and forests, so a lot of places smell good right now. Closely related trees, also called lindens, grow throughout the Northern hemisphere. They are prized for their beauty. Their wood is especially valued by carvers -- linden wood decorates the great cathedrals of Europe. Linden leaves and flowers are used for perfumes and teas. Honey made from linden flowers has a light minty herbal taste that is renowned among honeys.

Aromatherapists use linden to "calm and relax the body and the mind." We could use more of that. We should plant more lindens.

Lindens

The linden tree, Tilia americana, is also called basswood, lime tree, white wood, and bee tree. 


This blog is normally about wildlife, but I'm taking a moment to praise the linden trees that are blossoming in New York right now. In a city not noted for smelling good, the event is a delightful occasion.

Linden trees smell fresh, green, flowery, and sweet -- a little like melon, a little like honey. The smell wafts hauntingly around the trees and spreads on warm breezes. It makes me stop and inhale. It smells so good that I look forward to passing each linden on my daily route, especially a big old tree on the northeast corner of Central Park West at 66th street; its flower-covered branches droop over the sidewalk and diffuse perfume all around.

Lindens are native to eastern North America. They are common in cities, suburbs, and forests, so a lot of places smell good right now. Closely related trees, also called lindens, grow throughout the Northern hemisphere. They are prized for their beauty. Their wood is especially valued by carvers -- linden wood decorates the great cathedrals of Europe. Linden leaves and flowers are used for perfumes and teas. Honey made from linden flowers has a light minty herbal taste that is renowned among honeys.

Aromatherapists use linden to "calm and relax the body and the mind." We could use more of that. We should plant more lindens.