Little Leaf Linden and clay

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

I have tried a couple times with Lindens and it has not worked out. A fall planting of a small bare root that leafed out sickly and pathetic, and a much larger bare root specimen that only leafed out at the middle and then expired. I planted properly as I know what is required on that score at this point. I thought Lindens do not balk at clay. I was thinking of getting another for Spring, but maybe they are telling me something about the conditions here. They are not fussy trees, surely. One went in yrs ago before I knew anything and it had major die back in the first winter and got pulled. Perhaps it should have been given a chance.

A regular American Linden was planted at a different spot on the property 3 yrs ago and is doing fairly well other than yellowing leaves in 2nd yr cured I think by a layer of compost this season.

Featured Answer

mntreegrower

2 years ago

With many years of experience growing lindens in clay, I definitely can tell you that little leaf linden planted bare root is often much slower to establish itself after transplant than American linden. I have never planted them in the fall though. But with my spring bare root plantings, little leaf linden would usually not start showing significant growth until the third season in the ground. Perhaps you would be better off sticking to spring planting those only.

They are an inconsistent grower for me as well. Within a planted row, after 5 years, I will have trees that are 2.5" and 3" in trunk diameter mixed with trees that are only 1.75" and 2".

They do not balk at clay as long as it is not low ground or flat ground clay that often holds water after heavy rains.

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Comments (7)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
2 years ago
I planted properly

==<>>> does that mean you planted half the root ball in eh native clay.. and half above.. creating a small berm with well draining soil???

i presume yes... but we need more that your words to confirm...

ken
lone_elm_z6 thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
lone_elm_z6
Original Author
2 years ago
Hey Ken, not a berm exactly, just planted slightly high for drainage with native soil. Bare root. I am not sure if lack of success correlates with anything I have done or just bad luck. I mean, I managed to get cherries and other suspect specimens for the conditions here to grow fine, including another Linden type....
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bengz6westmd
2 years ago
Keep trying -- should grow OK in clay.
lone_elm_z6 thanked bengz6westmd
lone_elm_z6
Original Author
2 years ago
Yes I think I will order another.
L Clark (zone 4 WY)
2 years ago
You probably have nice falls, but I never have good luck with fall plantings. maybe try spring
lone_elm_z6 thanked L Clark (zone 4 WY)
lone_elm_z6
Original Author
2 years ago
L Clark, some of my Fall plantings have worked out. Generally better success in Spring. Two of the failed Lindens were fall, so maybe that was part of it. Spring this time. Maples and oaks have not liked fall here.