LIME TREES 357 



LIME OR LINDEN TREES. 

 Tilia Europea = The Common Lime, or Linden, Tree. 



There are several varieties of the European Lime, but 

 none of them are native to this country ; though the tree is 

 said to have been introduced by the Romans. 

 Of these varieties may be mentioned : 

 Tilia grandifolia = The large or broad-leaved Lime. 

 Tilia parvifolia The small-leaved Lime. 

 Tilia rubra. 

 Tilia intermedia. 



As to Seed. The seed ripens in this country in 

 October ; and the best trees can only be grown from seed ; 

 though, usually, the trees are propagated by layers. 



One pound of seed of the broad-leaved variety contains 

 about 5000 seeds ; and I Ib. of the small-leaved variety 

 about 15,000 seeds. 



The germinative capacity of both varieties is about 55 

 per cent. 



The seed should usually be sown as soon as ripe, and the 

 beds protected from frosts as the seed germinates. If sown 

 in the spring, the seed should be stored in rather damp sand 

 (but not wet sand) ; for, if stored in the dry, much of the 

 seed will not germinate until the second spring. 



The timber is white, soft, and close-grained, and is lighter 

 in weight than that of any other common broad-leaved 

 species. Like all white-wooded trees, it should be quickly 

 removed from the forest after being felled. 



Bast is obtained from the bark. 



Soil and Situation. The Lime will grow upon almost 

 any soil provided that it be fairly deep and not too dry ; and, 

 on the other hand, not too wet. 



It is often found growing upon thin dry soils overlying 

 disintegrated limestone rock. 



It usually requires a fairly sheltered situation. 



The trees are tender as to spring and autumn frosts, and 

 also as to drought. 



