Large Leaved Lime  - Tilia platyphyllos -  €12 per tree 

SIt's hard to know where to start when summarising this incredible tree -  considered a sacred tree in Slavic mythology, it appears in folklore across Europe and has always been revered.  It differs slightly from the Small Leaved Lime by, as the name suggests, having bigger leaves and slightly darkerer and smoother bark.  Perhaps little wonder when it is known to be not only a very valuable bee plant, producing an abundance of nectar, but also reportedly extremely beneficial to over 31 species of insects. The young leaves are edible, and dried lime flowers make an aromatic and healthy drink used for centuries and possible longer to treat a wide variety of ailments. The wood is popular for turning and used in furniture making. The tree is perfect to provide shade, as a lawn or street tree. May be pruned for use as hedge or screen. To order this plant please email [email protected]

Context

  • native region: Europe
  • native habitat: Woods on good calcareous or base rich soils[
  • family: Tiliaceae

Predators

  • No serious pests or diseases

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Full sun or partial shade
  • soil pH:  acid-neutral -basic alkaline 
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 - 6
  • Prefers moist soil
  • Can tolerate urban environments
  • Can tolerate some drought

Known hazards 

  • If the flowers used for making tea are too old, they may produce symptoms of narcotic intoxication

Overview

  • Deciduous Tree growing to 30-40 m by 20 m at a medium rate.
  • It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from October 
  • he species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil.
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
  • It cannot grow in the shade.
  • It prefers  moist soil but can tolerate some drought.

Characteristics

  • form: Deciduous Tree   
  • layer : Upper Canopy 
  • habit: 
  • height x width (m): 30 x 20​  

Products 

  • Leaves: Attractive heart shaped leaves.  They are larger than those of the small-leaved lime, growing 6–12cm in length, and drooping in hot conditions.The young leaves make an excellent addition to a salad and mild tasting
  • Flowers: Flowers are green-yellow, have five petals, and hang in clusters of 4–10. They have a wonderful and powerful fragrance which attracts many insects, particularly bees. It is not uncommon to hear the load humming of bees when flowers are blooming. Lime flowers have an excellent reputation is herbal medicine and are used for a wide variety of ailments, including to reduce fevers and relieve symptoms of the common cold.
  • Seeds: Flowers give way to nutlets that ripen in late summer
  • Wood: A fibre from the inner bark can be used to make mats, shoes, baskets and ropes. Wood is soft and light and finely textured making it quite easy to work and used in turnery, carving and furniture-making. 



Functions, behaviours

  • Male trees are often preferred due to the unpleasant smell of the flesh-coated seeds dropped by female trees. Despite the smell, these are a delicacy, hence the name ‘silver apricot’ in Chinese.
  • A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soil types so long as they are well-drained
  • They can grow in poor hard-packed soil.
  • The plants flower and fruit more reliably after hot summers or when grown in a warm sunny position
  • Untroubled by pests and diseases and is believed to have evolved a resistance over its many millions of years of existence
If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project