Large-leaved lime

A little known tree that is the rarest of our native limes. Mature trees are not only tall but wide with trees 25m across known!

What other names does it have?

Can also be known as	Broad-leaved lime
Generic name	Lime
Latin name	Tilia platyphyllos
Family name	Lime
Latin family name	Tiliaceae

What type of tree is it?

Is it a broadleaf or conifer?	It is a broadleaf
Does it lose its leaves in autumn?	Yes, it is deciduous

Species description:

Average height	18-35m

Leaf

Description	Sharply toothed/serrated on the edges. The leaves are softly furry and have hairy stalks. The sides of the leaves can droop and take on a 'hooded' appearance in hot or dry weather
Shape	Heart/Triangular
Size	10-15cm long
Colour	Dark green
Leaf bud	Fat, Greyish-dull red buds which have sparse hairs
Leaf stalk	Long stalk
Leaf arrangement	Alternate

Flower, seed, and fruit

Type of flower	Clustered/grouped flowers
Tree/flower sex	Both sexes
Fruit colour	Green ripening to brown
Type of seed body	Large winged seed/key
Seeds dispersed by	Wind

Bark and twig

Bark description	Greyish in colour with criss-cross ridges
Twig Description	The shoots are grey-green in the shade but reddish in the sun

What other trees are similar?

Can easily be confused with?	Common and small leaved lime - these have leaves which are smaller and there are numerous shoots from the base of the trunk

Where is it usually found?

Is it native or non-native to the British Isles?	Native
Where is its natural range?	Discrete patches across England and Wales
Preferred soil type or environmental conditions?	Prefers neutral and alkaline soils. Often planted in the 17th century but less common in the wild
What is its British conservation status?	Frequent

Additional information

Human uses of tree and timber

Less is known about the uses of large leaved lime when compared to small leaved lime. But is it thought the uses were similar, including fuel, hop-poles, bean-sticks, cups, ladles, bowls and morris dancing sticks! This is because it has a tight grain and does not splinter when hit hard. The wood was also a favourite of wood-carvers. The fibrous layer of under-bark called ‘bast’ was twisted into ropes or used to make sandals. The leaves were also useful as fodder for livestock

Tree lore and folklore

Limes are widely considered a female tree and have links to fertility. It is not really known how this came about but it is thought to date back to the Dark Ages. In France and Switzerland the lime is a symbol of liberty as collections of limes were planted to celebrate different battles which freed the countries from domination by others

Old tree

Leaf edges may curl down

Large leaved lime

Illustrations supplied by
Collins

BritishTrees