American Sentry® Linden

Height: 40–50 ft

Spread: 15–25 ft

Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8

Fall Color: Clear yellow; sometimes golden‑yellow.

Soil Type: Prefers moist, well‑drained loam. Tolerates clay, alkaline soils, and urban conditions. Avoid prolonged standing water. Performs best in slightly acidic to neutral pH.

Exposure Type: Full sun. Will tolerate light shade, but best form, density, and flowering in full exposure.

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Description

Tilia americana ‘McKSentry’ / American Sentry® Linden

Planting Points: Known for its strong central leader and uniformly upright form, more refined and narrower than many American lindens. Produces fragrant creamy‑yellow flowers in early summer—excellent for pollinators. More urban‑tolerant than many lindens: handles pollution, compacted soils, and limited boulevards well. Moderate growth rate with excellent cold hardiness. Develops a dense canopy that casts strong shade. Water regularly during establishment; becomes moderately drought‑tolerant as it matures. Prune during dormancy; minimal shaping needed thanks to naturally formal structure. Less prone to Japanese beetle feeding than Littleleaf Linden, though monitoring is still wise in heavy‑pressure regions. Long‑lived and durable, making it a reliable municipal and residential tree.

Siting This Tree: Excellent for narrow boulevards, urban streetscapes, and parkways due to its controlled width. Perfect for residential front yards, formal landscapes, and alleés. Great tree where shade is desired but lateral space is limited. Performs well in parks, campuses, and commercial landscapes thanks to toughness and uniformity. Avoid low, wet soils or deep shade.