Tilia cordata ‘Corinthian’
This tree profile is shared for educational purposes. Urban Forest Nursery does not currently grow this variety, but it remains part of ongoing discussions around urban tree selection.
UPDATE 2026: In our effort to stop growing and planting problematic trees, we discontinued the growing of any Tilia cordata cultivars. As a consulting arborist I had heard enough complaints of aphid honey dew dropping on cars that I considered that one a poor choice. As an alternative, we are growing the Tilia tomentosa. This species is less likely to have the aphid issue given the pubescence on the leaf surface, however, recently I was told that some aphids are still finding a way to infest the pubescent leaf. We will continue to monitor.
As growing spaces in cities get smaller and narrower, trees with limited width crowns are needed. Another in our palette of narrow trees to recommend is the Corinthian Linden tree. This is the narrowest of the Lindens, and appears to be a good new selection, although not heavily planted yet. This tree, with compact pyramid form, has an ultimate mature size of 45’ tall by 15’ wide, which is relatively narrow. The branch pattern appears to be uniform around a strong central leader, with good attachment. The leaves are smaller and denser than the rest of the species, with a dark green color. It has a very dense crown of leaves, so you can appreciate the very complete shade it provides. Like all young Lindens, the bark is smooth. As they mature, they exhibit a finely fissured clean and uniform gray bark.
In general, Lindens appear to be strong and tough street trees, willing to grow in the most inhospitable places. They are relatively easy to transplant, and pruning small limbs is a pleasure, as the wood is comparatively soft. As Lindens age, they have a tendency to exhibit what we arborists observe as included bark. To my surprise, and others I have spoken to, we seldom see any significant branch failure. The point being not to overreact to the included bark in a linden. I would consider their sidewalk lifting ability to be moderate; i.e. possible, but not excessive. Again, like many Lindens, the most significant insect problems are the Aphids and resulting honeydew; however, one source reports the Corinthian with less Aphid issues. This may occur occasionally, but not every year.
Don’t confuse this ‘Corinthian’ cultivar with the slightly wider ‘Chancellor’ cultivar, with almost twice the width to 30’. However, the ‘Chancellor’ is still narrower than the standard ‘Greenspire’.
Please feel free to send me any other relevant information you have on this species.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE TREE PROFILES
Jim Barborinas
Owner of Urban Forest Nursery, Inc.
ISA Certified Arborist #0135
ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist #356
15119 McLean Rd.
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
jim@urbanforestnursery.com
What should I know about Corinthian Linden (Tilia cordata ‘Corinthian’)?
Here are some common questions we hear from people considering this tree:
We moved away from Corinthian and other littleleaf linden cultivars mainly due to ongoing issues with aphids and the sticky residue they leave behind. This became a frequent concern in urban settings, especially around parked cars and walkways.
This cultivar is known for its narrow, pyramidal shape and dense canopy. It has smaller, dark green leaves and a very uniform structure, making it one of the tighter and more compact forms within the linden group.
Lindens in general are durable and adaptable, handling tough city conditions and transplanting well. They develop a strong central structure and provide dense shade, though they may occasionally show minor structural traits like included bark without major failure concerns.
The biggest consideration is the potential for aphids and resulting honeydew, which can create maintenance issues below the tree. While this cultivar may show fewer problems at times, it is still something to factor into placement, especially near vehicles or pedestrian areas.