This tree is new to me and I'm baffled by it's leaves and possible buds. I've never seen anything like it in Illinois. It has two different types of leaves. What is it?

P.S. If this site can not be used for tree identification, can someone refer me to a site that's this awesome for trees.

Hi ninabee,

This is the perfect place to get any type of plant/tree/shrub identified. That is a really pretty tree but I have no idea what it might be. I'm sure someone will be along shortly...

It looks like tilia americana, american basswood tree. Disclaimer: I am no expert ;)

Looks like littleleaf linden, Tilia cordata

It is a Tilia sp .....Linden tree, Lime tree.
The 2 sorts of leaves you noticed are
1. The leaf.
2. The long thin light green bit ....is called a bract and is part of the flower /later to be the seed.

https://www.google.com/search?...:


This is Tilia americana.......
https://caseytrees.org/2011/08...



It is not easy to say which Tilia yours is
Size of leaf has to be considered etc.
See image 8 of 13 here....to see what I mean.

https://landscapeplants.oregon...

It's not likely they planted Tilia americana in a landscape setting, it grows wild all over the place here. Also, the leaves on the ID tree are too small and the plant form is much like the commonly planted (around here) littleleaf linden Tilia cordata 'Greenspire'

While I wouldn't agree that Tilia americana (Basswood) could not be found planted as a landscape tree - there are plenty of northern IL Chicagoland nurseries that grow that native species - I would say that there are still probably more Littleleaf Lindens (Tilia cordata) selections that are grown, sold, and planted in North American landscapes. It is easier to produce, grows amazingly symmetrically, and transplants well.

It is also an absolute Japanese Beetle magnet, so don't be surprised if by midsummer this tree looks like so much brown lace after the beetles ravage the foliage.

The size of the leaves is a good measure. It would help to have something for scale in the closeup pictures of the foliage, but the relative size of the bracts to the leaves is enough for me. Basswood leaves will be much larger relative to the bracts.

Thank you all! I researched Tilia americana (Basswood) and I'm 100% sure that's what it is. So neat! Love the 2 different leaves. Might also get some flowering, so that's a plus.

@ViburnumValley, you are correct about the Japanese Beetle magnet. That's a bummer! Hopefully it's not too terrible.

ninabee - can I asked what clinched Tilia americana for you over Tilia cordata?

@sooby, Location. From what I read, Tilia cordata is native to European countries and the Americana is seen in the the U.S.

ninabee said:@ sooby, Location. From what I read, Tilia cordata is native to European countries and the Americana is seen in the the U.S.

Definitely where they are native would be a factor if we were identifying a plant "in the wild". This looks like a tree that was planted, and Tilia cordata cultivars are commonly planted in North America. But as John said, the size of the leaves is an important factor. Just to give you an idea of the size of Tilia americana leaves, I just brought this one in for a pic next to a ruler:



I don't have a Tilia cordata handy although there are some in the town nearby next time I go there, but do the leaves on your tree match this size? It doesn't look like it from your picture but maybe you'll want to check it out to be sure.