Tilia platyphyllos - common lime (Forest alveolus)

Genus of 20-45 species of deciduous trees present in the forests of Europe, Asia and North America. Tilia platyphyllos is a deciduous tree with a very long-lived tall trunk, 25-30 m tall, exceptionally up to 40 m. It has a slender trunk with a broad and spreading crown. The gray bark, initially smooth, cracks in mature specimens but is less furrowed than in T. cordata. The heart-shaped leaves are light green, up to 10-12 cm long and take on beautiful golden yellow hues in autumn. Between May and June it produces many very fragrant flowers, with a characteristic bract, of a yellowish-white color and gathered in hanging inflorescences formed by 2-5 hermaphroditic flowers.

Pedoclimatic requirements
It adapts to all types of soil, even heavy and clayey ones, preferring moist, fresh and well-drained ones. Exposure to full sun stimulates abundant flowering, but it also adapts to partial shade. A fairly rustic plant, it resists cold and frosts as long as they are not excessively intense up to -14°/-16°C. Due to the majesty of its shape, the thick shade and the fragrance of its flowering, it is widely used in parks, avenues and gardens. Although it requires a lot of space to allow the foliage to develop freely, it is possible to train it as a “willow head” to contain its growth without damaging the plant.

Botanical Information
Botanical Name: Tilia platyphyllos
Family: Tiliaceae