Linden or Dandelion (many translations also known as European Bodhi tree, or lime tree, nomenclature as Tilia) is a genus of about 30 species of woody trees. This kind of tree originates in the Northern Hemisphere’s temperate regions. It mainly appears in Asia (where the Linden species grows diversely ), Europe, and eastern North America, but not in western North America. In the Cronquist classification, the genus is placed in the Tilioideae family of the Malvaceae.

Linden is a large deciduous tree that can reach 20-40 m high with oblique heart-shaped leaves, 6–20 cm wide. It is mainly planted in temperate regions. The exact number of this species is uncertain, as many species are easily interbred, both in the wild and cultivated by man.

The linden wood is from white to cream in color, with only small growth rings. The color stays similar throughout the wood’s surface and tends to change to yellow or light brown. Therefore, the linden grain is characterized by a slightly striped or flared longitudinal surface. The growth rings of Linden are pretty small and similar; the difference between the rings is tough to be recognized through seasons, even at the microscopic level.

Linden wood has lightweight: only 535kg/m3 for European Linden and 410kg/m3 for American Linden.

Good machine resistance and easy to process.

Wood fiber is smooth, easy to polish, and sticks to paint.

It has beautiful grains with natural gloss, which is very suitable for cladding and wood decorating.

Although Linden has a high initial shrinkage, it is very stable after being dried. For this reason, this wood type is often used in the handicraft industry. Linden’s soft, smooth, and even texture makes carving more effortless, while the pale wood color accentuates the carved patterns of the finished product.

The most outstanding feature of Linden is that it can be used to make kitchen tools such as spoons, bowls, and even children’s toys because it is a food-safe wood. It is hypoallergenic and nearly odorless, which does not stain with oil and is highly resistant to humidity.

Linden wood has low hardness: only 700 lbf for European Linden and 410 lbf for American Linden (on the Janka scale), so it is not recommended to use in locations and structures that require load bearing.

This kind of wood can be turned yellow when exposed to direct sunlight, so it should not be used in outdoor furniture.

Wood often has a considerable loss in volume after drying.