The lindens are in bloom again. The lindens are in bloom again. Yes it’s that time of year when neighborhood streets carry a light scent of green floral. It’s one of the fairer ubiquitous scents appearing in the warmer months, something in a lighter vein than jasmine or gardenia. It’s like a rainbow to the nose to many. Although, it can set off those allergic to tree pollen.
According to the NYC Street Tree map, there are 789 Common Lindens planted in the city. “The flowers are produced in clusters of four to ten in early summer with a leafy yellow-green subtending bract; they are fragrant, and pollinated by bees.” There are some local farmers markets that have a Linden Honey, a personal favorite — and honey made of pollen that one is sinus sensitive too has a reputation for being a holistic cure (seek a doctor’s advice before trying this).
However, there are several in North Brooklyn not appearing on this map. I first noticed the lindens in bloom the first week of June, but these were young trees. The “teen” trees began blooming mid June, and now the senior trees are scenting off. For instance, Driggs Avenue north of McGuinness, has an old guard of them that is particularly fragrant now.
The Greenline 