The common lime tree (Tilia x vulgaris) is a descendant of trees which began to be imported from the Netherlands in the 17th century. This was the start of the fashion for lime avenues in parks and towns, sometimes as an ostentatious display of wealth.
The limes at the top of the road from Coates to Tarlton were probably planted about 90 years ago, perhaps at the end of the First World War. Beautiful trees they may be with their pleasing perfume but motorists should avoid parking under them in summer. The large infestation of the foliage with lime aphid drips an unpleasant sticky substance that is hard to clean up. But the soft, easily worked wood is ideal for making models, and its acoustic properties make it suited to building electric guitars and wind instruments.
Limes can live for centuries and a veteran of about 1000 years old survives not far away at Silkwood, Westonbirt Arboretum. This large coppiced stool is a small – leaved variety – Tilia cordata.
Geoff Moore
