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Tilia tomentosa - Moench.

Common Name Silver Lime
Family Tiliaceae
USDA hardiness 4-7
Known Hazards The flowers are toxic to bumble bees[11].
Habitats Oak and mixed woods[74].
Range S.E. Europe.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Tilia tomentosa Silver Lime


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Bruce_Marlin
Tilia tomentosa Silver Lime
fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilisateur:Jeantosti

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Oval, Pyramidal, Rounded.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Tilia tomentosa is a deciduous Tree growing to 25 m (82ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

T. alba. T. argentea. DC.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses: Condiment  Tea

Young leaves - raw or cooked[179]. The dried leaves are sometimes used as an adulterant for marjoram (Origanum majorana)[183]. A tea can be made from the flowers. A very good chocolate substitute is made from a paste of the ground fruits and flowers[2]. Trials on marketing the product failed because the paste decomposes readily[2].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antispasmodic  Diaphoretic  Sedative

A tea made from the flowers is antispasmodic, diaphoretic and sedative[226].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Fibre

A fibre is obtained from the tough inner bark It can be made into diverse items such as mats, shoes and coarse cloth[229].

Special Uses

Food Forest  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Firewood, Pollard, Screen, Specimen, Street tree. Prefers a good moist loamy alkaline to neutral soil but succeeds on slightly acid soils[11, 200]. Grows poorly on any very dry or very wet soil[200]. According to another report this species succeeds in a hot dry position. Dislikes exposed positions[200]. Succeeds in sun or semi-shade[188]. This species thrives in southern England[11], though it prefers a continental climate, growing more slowly and not producing fertile seed in areas with cool summers[200]. Lime trees tend to hybridise freely if other members of the genus are growing nearby[238]. If growing plants from seed it is important to ensure the seed came from a wild source or from an isolated clump of the single species[K]. Grows best in a woodland situation, young plants tolerate a reasonable level of side shade[200]. The fragrant flowers of this tree are toxic to bees[188]. Trees are usually attacked by aphids which cover the ground and the leaves with a sticky honeydew[188]. Rarely produces suckers. Quite tolerant of root disturbance, semi-mature trees up to 5 metres tall have been transplanted successfully. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Special Features:Attracts birds, Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Fragrant flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - much of the seed produced in Britain is not viable, cut a few seedcases open to see if there is a seed inside[80]. If possible, obtain fresh seed that is ripe but has not as yet developed a hard seed coat and sow it immediately in a cold frame. It may germinate in the following spring though it could take 18 months[80]. Stored seed can be very slow to germinate. It has a hard seed coat, embryo dormancy and a hard coat on the pericarp. All these factors mean that the seed may take up to 8 years to germinate[80]. One way of shortening this time is to stratify the seed for 5 months at high temperatures (10°c at night, up to 30°c by day) and then 5 months cold stratification[80]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Layering in spring just before the leaves unfurl. Takes 1 - 3 years[78]. Suckers, when formed, can be removed with as much root as possible during the dormant season and replanted immediately[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

Moench.

Botanical References

1174200

Links / References

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Readers comment

Etienne Van Rattingen   Thu Apr 22 09:18:33 2004

psychosomatic complains, fear, neuroses, nervos, stress, sleeplessnes, depression, neuralgia, petit mal.

Richard G. Rankin   Mon Feb 19 2007

I have a Tilia tomentosa (approx.10 ft.)in my front yard. I find it a very attractive tree resembling a Bradford Pear,strongly scented and loaded with bees at June's end and the first week of July. I had no Idea that it was toxic to bumble bees. R.G.Rankin (Keyport,NJ)

Dr. Aiken   Sun Mar 11 2007

A magic sleep, calming elixar for some.. 50 drops before bed will result in a dreamless sleep, and the effects are gone well before noon the next day. Take a little care with early morning tasks involving motor dexterity or rapid decision making as these may not be at full capacity Dr. Aiken

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Subject : Tilia tomentosa  
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