Small-leaved lime, Tilia cordataThe Common lime T. x vulgaris is a hybrid between T. cordata and T. platyphyllos Sources of seed and plants Native to England and Wales where it sometimes grows in small pure stands but mainly occurs in secondary mixed woodlands with ash, hawthorn, Field maple, the birches, oaks, Wildy cherry and Wych elm. It also grows with the Large-leaved lime T. platyphyllos in the Peak District of Derbyshire and the Wye Valley. The best trees and stands are found in the English Lake District, Welsh borders, Midlands and Lincolnshire. Silviculture Moderately shade bearing, it also casts a heavy shade; can be grown pure or in mixture with ash, sycamore, beech, Pedunculate and Sessile oak, hornbeam and Wild cherry. Soil types Occurs naturally on soils derived from chalk and limestone, but also succeeds on well drained sands, loams and clays. Rate of growth and yield Young trees grow quickly with small upward slanting branches to form a conical crown. In well-tended woodlands the stem is straight, cylindrical and epicormics are rare. Small-leaved lime commonly reaches heights of 25 to 30 metres with stem diameters of 30 to 45 cms and boles of 15 metres. If grown for biomass it could produce 3 to 4 dry tonnes per hectare per year on rotation of 15 to 20 years. Protection and resistance Verticillium wilt can cause damage in the nursery. Small-leaved lime tolerates cold winters and is hardy to late spring frost. It is resistant to wind so can be used for shelter; and to atmospheric pollution so can be planted in towns and industrial areas. Because of the tough, stringy bark it is not often damaged by grey squirrels and although deer browse Small-leaved lime they do not often damage the bark. Establishing and tending Requires careful planting. Production of viable seed depends on warm summers but it can be propagated by cuttings. It coppices strongly. Timber properties A diffuse porous wood, uniformly white or yellow in colour, turning pale brown on exposure. The texture is fine and uniform and the grain is straight. The sapwood is not easily distinguishable from the heartwood. Of medium density (540 kg/m3 seasoned) lime kiln dries well and fairly rapidly with some tendency to distort. Clear timber is moderate for bending, good for turning and satisfactory for staining and polishing. The heartwood is perishable but permeable to preservatives. Amenity value A handsome well-shaped tree for parks and other open spaces and hedgerows, but not for car parks and roads because of the "honey dew" secreted by leaf aphids. Conservation The flowers produce abundant nectar attractive to bees. Timber value A soft, white wood easy to machine and carve. Used for brush making, turnery and plywood. Economic appraisal A productive species which has been neglected because it is difficult to produce nursery stock. Should be grown extensively for its all-round utility for timber, amenity and conservation. Lime timber would be more extensively used if graded logs were available in large quantities. Should be grown in mixed woodlands on rotations of 50 to 60 years. |
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