Lime, Small leaved

Description

Tilia cordata

The Small-leaved lime is a large deciduous tree growing to more than 20m high. Once a dominant woodland species, it is now rare in woods, and in some English regions it is considered an indicator species of ancient woodland.

Its sweet-smelling summer flowers attract a huge number of insects looking for nectar, while its leaves are popular with caterpillars of the Lime hawk moth, among other species.

It produces large-winged, nut-like fruits that disperse its seeds by the wind.

Lime trees were often planted along roads by royal decree to get receive a good harvest. It is associated with fertility in Estonia and Lithuania and is a sacred tree in Slavic and German mythology representing fairness and justice. In France and Switzerland, limes represent liberty, and the trees were planted to celebrate different battles.

It was also said that sitting under a lime tree would cure epilepsy.