Tilia platyphyllos

Large-leaved Lime

Physical Traits & Growth

Typical max. heightiMaximum height in typical conditions, in metres. Full data also shows maximum achievable height in exceptional conditions.:
40m 1
40m 5
20-30m 6
41m 7

Max. canopy widthiLikely maximum horizontal width of the canopy, in metres:
Broad ovoid to globular, can become over 20m wide 1
Often narrow 34

Size of shadowiSize of shadow based on a fully grown tree, categorised as low, medium or high: High (644 sqm)

Canopy densityiShading intensity of the canopy when in full leaf. Categorised from open to dense.: Moderately dense 1

Leaf emergenceiTime of leaf emergence, categorised as very early, early, late, or evergreen: Early (Apr to Nov 1)

Growth rateiHow quickly the tree grows during establishment. Categorised as low, moderate or high, with very high used in exceptional cases.: Moderate to high 19

LongevityiExpected lifespan of the tree: Long-lived to 800+ years 2

Management & Systems

Approach to silvicultureiCoppicing and pollarding ability: Can be pollarded and heavily pruned 3 and coppiced 7

Establishment requirementsiCommon requirements to establish the tree: Requires protection from browsing 3

Management requirementsiCommon long-term management needs such as pruning. Categorised as low, moderate or high.: Minimal or no pruning 1

Pruning timeiOptimal season for pruning: Spring (late) to summer 1

A short avenue of 4 Large-leaved Limes Tilia platyphyllos in Kvinnherad, Norway/ Ryan Hodnett/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

Products & Economy

Food productsiCommon food products such as fruits and nuts: –

Wood productsiCommon wood products, including timber, turnery, and pulp:
Timber 2
Max YC 10 8

BiomassiCommon biomass products such as fuelwood: –

Speciality productsiOther speciality and niche products: –

Time until market (food)iNumber of years until the tree produces food products: –

Time until market (timber)iNumber of years until the tree produces wood products: Unknown

Ecology & Utility

Nutrient and organic matter accumulationiRough estimate of soil-improving properties, with larger and deeper-rooting trees predicted to have higher value. Categorised as low, moderate or high.:
High – deep roots and large canopy area
Leaf litter rapidly returned to soil 10

Nitrogen fixationiNitrogen-fixing properties, categorised as yes or no: No

High carbon sequestrationiAll trees sequester carbon, but faster-growing, larger trees generally have higher sequestration potential.:
Short-term (20 years): High
Medium-term (40 years): High
Long-term (60 years): High

Native status in the UKiCategorised as native, long-established, or recent introduction.: Native 1

High wildlife valueiMost trees are likely to be of some value to wildlife, but some trees are of generally higher value to various wildlife groups:
Moderate 5
Highest value for mycorrhizal fungi, leaf litter, pollen and nectar 5

Pollinators

Flowering period (pollinator benefit)iTypical flowering months: Jun 1 to Jul 3

High pollen and nectar value for pollinatorsiValue of flowers to pollinators: Moderate to high 1

Susceptibility & Risks

Risk of toxicity to livestockiReported potential toxicity to livestock, categorised as yes or no. Toxicity is complex and often context-specific.: None known

Risks to farming operationsiOther risks such as suckering roots, very large tree size, secondary host for aphids, and flammability: Capable of becoming very large tree 2

Disease susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to diseases, e.g. fungal and bacterial disease:
Low
Remarkably disease-free 5
May be susceptible to sooty mould, phytophthora root rot and honey fungus 2

Invertebrate pest susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to invertebrate pests, e.g. aphids and other insects:
Moderate
Frequently infested with lime aphids 5
May be susceptible to aphids, horse chestnut scale, caterpillars, sawflies and gall mites 2

Vertebrate damage susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to vertebrate pests, e.g. squirrels and deer:
Moderate
Susceptible to browsing 7
Not damaged by squirrels 5