Linden Trees

Question: Hi:  My neighbors and I have linden trees planted by the City of Cambridge, MN, (Isanti County) 13 years ago during street work - this year it seems that all of a sudden they are dropping a plethora of narrow, yellow, tiny, stick-to-each-other, bothersome leaves (shown above but pic doesn't show much of the yellow color) - very hard to rake and clean up.  We're wondering what happened this year - will we have to deal with this every year from now on?

Plus, some of the bigger green leaves have already started turning yellow (shown in the first picture above).  Is that normal for July?

Also, can you recommend a pretty bush (especially colorful in fall) to plant at the SE corner of my house in town - just gets a bit of sunlight. However, I hope to have nearby trees trimmed so may get more sun in the near future.

I look  forward to hearing from you!

responder: Barbara, Anoka County MG, TCA Replied July 17, 2023, 9:30 PM EDT
response: The items you are referring to are the envelope that encloses the seeds.  When they are ripe, the pod splits in two and drops.  The seeds are so small you normally cannot even find them. The tissue paper thin pod/envelope is easily picked up by a lawn mower.  The yellow leaves are a sign that the trees are stressed.  If they haven't been watering them on a regular basis, the tree will show its stress with yellow leaves.  For a shrub I would like to suggest: Tor Birchleaf Spirea (Spiraea betulifolia 'Tor'): Full bloom in late spring with sporadic flowers later. Red-purple fall  color. Compact mound of dark gray-green birch-like leaves.  It is a very attractive shrub.  It may be hard to find this time of year but check with your locally owned garden center.  They may have it in the spring.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 18, 2023, 3:21 PM EDT
response: Thanks for your response! My lawnmower did nothing re these tiny leaves - just left them on the ground.  I've have to rake them up a number of times.  Lawns all up and down my street are covered in these yellow leaves and also some brown residue that I've been sweeping up from the sidewalk - between the leaves and the residue, it all looks so messy.Another question:  Why are the regular leaves turning yellow already - same stress situation?I appreciate the shrub recommendation - I'll look into it.  Can it grow well without full sun?On Mon, Jul 17, 2023 at 8:31 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Barbara, Anoka County MG, TCA Replied July 18, 2023, 9:15 PM EDT
response: Yes, the shrub can do well with partial shade.  I don't know what size your seed protection covers are (they are not leaves).  I just measured the ones from my linden.  They are almost 1" wide at the center and between 4" to 4 1/2" in length.  The brown residue is abnormal.  Perhaps you have aphids on your trees.  I suggest you have a certified arborist make an evaluation.  You can find one by going to this web site and clicking on Find An Arborist.  Put in your zip code when prompted and a list of certified arborists in your area will appear.  Or, if your city has a city arborist, request that person make an evaluation of the trees they planted.

responder: Barbara, Anoka County MG, TCA Replied July 18, 2023, 9:16 PM EDT
response: Whoops, forgot to give you the link:  https://www.treesaregood.org/

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 19, 2023, 8:43 AM EDT
response: Thank you so much. On Tue, Jul 18, 2023 at 8:16 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote: