RE: Linden Trees - Mess on Lawn - Ask Extension
I live in Cambridge, MN - my linden trees have been dropping little yellow leaves like crazy. The mower isn't chopping them up so I have to rake them...
Knowledgebase
RE: Linden Trees - Mess on Lawn #877508
Asked July 16, 2024, 3:53 PM EDT
I live in Cambridge, MN - my linden trees have been dropping little yellow leaves like crazy. The mower isn't chopping them up so I have to rake them and they stick to each other...a challenging job. What causes these leaves to drop? Can I do anything to prevent this from happening?
Isanti County Minnesota
Expert Response
Based upon your description, we suspect the little yellow leaves you mention are bracts associated with linden flower clusters.
Compare here:
https://images.app.goo.gl/PGn61sNfUEgyvbC78
The bracts drop after the flowers fade and set seed. This is a normal part of the trees' life cycle and it's likely to happen whenever they bear flowers. This might or might not be annually depending upon growing conditions and other factors.
If what's falling are actual leaves, please reply and attach sharp photos so we can revise our response.
Compare here:
https://images.app.goo.gl/PGn61sNfUEgyvbC78
The bracts drop after the flowers fade and set seed. This is a normal part of the trees' life cycle and it's likely to happen whenever they bear flowers. This might or might not be annually depending upon growing conditions and other factors.
If what's falling are actual leaves, please reply and attach sharp photos so we can revise our response.
This is what the fall-out from my linden trees looks like. So there is nothing I can do about this mess? Do all li dens drop this mess?
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Konnie Miller <<personal data hidden>>
Date: July 21, 2024 at 2:37:08 PM CDT
To: <personal data hidden>
Subject: Re: Linden Trees - Mess on Lawn #0147426
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
Yes, this is a spent flower cluster with attached bract.
Bracts with flowers that haven't been pollinated or otherwise fail to develop seeds often fall soon after bloom. The rest drop later in the season.
Linden trees usually flower annually, but the amount of bloom varies with heaviest bloom occurring every two or three years.
In years when growing conditions are unfavorable or the trees are under stress, there may be no flowers.
Bracts with flowers that haven't been pollinated or otherwise fail to develop seeds often fall soon after bloom. The rest drop later in the season.
Linden trees usually flower annually, but the amount of bloom varies with heaviest bloom occurring every two or three years.
In years when growing conditions are unfavorable or the trees are under stress, there may be no flowers.
