Small-leaved lime
Small-leaved lime navigation
Despite its name, the small-leaved lime has no relation to the citrus fruit. It’s one of two lime species found in Britain. Its botanical name is Tilia cordata.
Since ancient times, the lime tree has been used for shade and lowland shelterbelts.
Facts and statistics
Here are some interesting facts about small-leaved lime.
400 years.
Grows to 35 metres tall.
The sweet smelling flowers attract bees, other insects and birds including woodpeckers.
Unlike other limes, the fruits are neither ribbed nor hairy.
Smooth, grey bark which cracks with age.
Northern Spain to Caucasus and Siberia.
Its pale cream coloured wood is fine textured and resistant to splitting. This makes it ideal for turning and carvings.
As it does not warp, lime wood is also used for the keys and sounding boards of pianos.