1879.] ORNAMENTAL TREES AND SHRUBS. 15 



ORNAMENTAL TREES AND SHRUBS. 



TILIA (THE LIME-TREE.) 



The genus Tilia is composed of a limited number of umbrageous, 

 deciduous trees, of stately growth, indigenous to the temperate and 

 colder regions of Europe and North. America. They are all very 

 hardy, and of free growth in most districts of Britain ; and though 

 seldom if ever planted merely for their timber, they have long been 

 extensively introduced into our parks and other ornamental planta- 

 tions, where, whether standing singly, grouped, or associated with 

 other trees, they impart a richness and beauty to the landscape 

 peculiarly their own. They are, moreover, invaluable for town gardens 

 and street avenues, where, notwithstanding the dust and smoke, they 

 succeed better than most other large-growing trees. 



The wood of the Lime-trees, though lacking the strength and 

 durability necessary for general purposes, is nevertheless utilised in 

 the countries where it abounds for fancy-work, such as cabinet- 

 making and carving, as it stands well when not exposed to the 

 weather, is easily wrought, and is susceptible of a fine polish. The 

 inner bark of all the species is strong and much used in the manu- 

 facture of mats, baskets, and other useful articles. 



T. Europsea (the common Lime or Linden-tree). — This, the best 

 known of the species, is found naturally in several of the countries 

 of the Continent, and if not also indigenous to Britain, has been 

 so long in cultivation that it would be difficult to assign a date for 

 its introduction. It is a broad, thickly-branched tree of from 80 to 

 100 feet in height. The leaves, with which the branches are amply 

 clothed, are of a cordate form, sharp-pointed, serrated, smooth, and 

 of a pleasing light-green colour, assuming as they decay a yellowish- 

 brown tint, a feature very much admired in autumn. 



The flowers, which expand in July and August, are produced in 

 cymes or umbels ; they are individually small, light -yellow, and 

 form no very important feature of the plant. So far as regards ap- 

 pearance, they are, however, deliciously fragrant, specially " at dewy 

 eve, distilling odours ; " and as they abound in honey they supply 

 admirable pasturage for bees. The wood of this tree is soft, light, 

 but close-grained, not liable to be attacked by insects, nor, when 

 properly seasoned, to warp. It is much used by turners and carvers, 

 and by manufacturers of toys. Its charcoal is of the finest quality for 

 making gunpowder. From the inner bark is obtained the material 

 for making bast-mats, of so much value to gardeners for packing, 

 covering, and tying up plants, and which are annually imported in 

 great numbers from St Petersburg, Archangel, and Riga. The trees 



