Small-leaved lime is a popular street and park tree in Central Europe, which is undemanding and has a variety of uses in natural medicine and in local customs. Countless names of people, places and inns contain the word "Linde", which testifies to its great popularity.
The small-leaved lime is a special native tree
"Tree of the Year - Dr. Every year, the Silvius Wodarz Foundation chooses a native tree as Tree of the Year. This serves the purpose of getting people interested in trees, promoting conscious handling of trees and imparting knowledge about them, as well as pointing out endangered species.
What makes small-leaved lime a special tree?
Compared to all other native trees, the small-leaved lime (bot. Tilia cordata) does not flower until the end of June. At this time it is valued by beekeepers as a late bee pasture. With its broadly branched crown, the small-leaved lime tree provides shade on hot days and provides a habitat for various birds. In naturopathy, lime blossom tea is used for colds. For centuries, the linden tree has been the focus of literature, music and art painting. Thanks to this diversity, the small-leaved lime was named Tree of the Year.
appearance and habitat
The small-leaved lime can reach a height of up to 30 meters and an age of up to 1000 years. Its trunk can be several meters thick, with the small-leaved lime being the more delicate compared to its "big sister", the small-leaved lime. The best way to distinguish between the two types of linden is by their leaves. The leaves of the small-leaf linden have the following characteristics:
- small and almost circular in shape,
- have a light underside with brownish armpit beards,
- the autumn color is bright golden yellow.
The requirements of the small-leaved lime in terms of light, water, warmth and nutrients are not very high. After felling, it drives out strongly from the tree stump. With the exception of the far north, the small-leaved lime can be found throughout Europe in mixed deciduous forests, in cities and along roadsides. Because of its tall growth and its shady crown, the small-leaved lime has always been planted in public places and was a popular meeting place for lovers.
tips
Dancing linden trees mean linden trees with a dance floor built into their crown. This could be reached via ladders. Even today people dance and celebrate in some of the Tanzlinden.