Linden (Tilia) is a beloved tree for love, longevity and music in Germanic culture and mythology. Homeowners plant a linden on the property to attract luck and prosperity. By an entrance, linden gives protection to hearth and home. It's a favorite along winding lanes.
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Called Linden in Europe and the Old World, it's known as basswood in the Americas, and lime tree in England and Ireland. Lindens can live for centuries. One in Gloucestershire, England is estimated at 2,000 years old. Another in Nuremburg, Germany dates to 900 AD.
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Due to its heart-shaped leaves, linden is also called the Tree of Love (Liebesbaum). The spirit of the linden brings grace, longevity and stability to romantic relationships. The linden is a sign of everlasting love.
The dense leafy canopy makes linden a superior shade tree. Tea of linden flowers or leaves is popular folk medicine to calm the nerves and help relieve cough, cold and fever.
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Leaves, wood and charcoal of are used to treat dry mouth, internal diseases and conditions of liver and gallbladder. The sweet mild scent of linden promotes harmony and enjoyment. Bees who love linden flowers produce a fragrant flavorful honey.
As a natural resource linden has a fibrous Inner wood used to make rope, nets and baskets. Light linden wood is a desirable material for warrior shields. It's on the soft side of the hardwoods. The smooth texture and dense grain makes it a favorite of woodworkers.
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In China, old linden logs create a fertile base for growing shiitake mushrooms. During the Bronze Age, fibers from soaked Linden bark make durable clothing. The inner bark is also edible, and so are buds, flowers and leaves.
Ancient Germania follows a strong tradition of nature worship. Trees are significant in culture and lore. Immigrants bring the linden tree with them to new lands such as America and Canada.
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Gently resonant linden wood is used to make musical instruments such as electric guitar, bass guitar, wind instruments such as flutes and recorders, and sometimes drums. Its warm tone is suited to beginning guitarists.
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Trees with magic powers or spiritual significance in ancient Europa also include the oak, beech, elm, elderberry and other fruit trees. In Baltic mythology, the linden is sacred to fate goddess Laima.