Main features

Height

25 to 30 m 

Width

20 m 

Flower colour

Yellow

Flowering Time

June. July

Light/shadow demands

Sun

pH-Value

slightly alkaline, neutral, alkaline, slightly acidic

Soil

Loamy

Characteristics

Habit

An impressive, large tree, 25-30 m tall, to 20 m wide; from the start broadly conical or ovoid, soon round crown; main branches stiffly upright, twigs diagonally rising to horizontal, hardly or not overhanging; 40-50 cm a year, fast-growing

Crown

Rund, broad ovoid, broad conical, upright rund, broad ovoid, broad conical, upright

Blossom

White-yellow cymes, (end of) July; very fragrant; the last flowers of the useful limes

Leaves

Broadly cordate, asymmetrical; shoots whitish grey, then dull green on top, white tomentose underneath; staying green a long time, pale yellow from November

Fruits

Inconspicuous

Roots

Deep with strong lateral roots, sensitive to soil compaction

Demands

Sun; tolerates heat, likes warmth, frost hardy, occasional early frost damage; good for urban areas

Soil

Moderately dry to fresh areas, slightly acidic to very alkaline; nutritious, loamy soil

Note

Contrary to some rumours, insects are not poisoned by the honey of T. tomentosa. A study by Prof. Dr. Surholt showed that a decrease in nectar-providing plants leads to a lack of food for bees. The late-flowering T. tomentosa is an important source of food for insects, but too many insects compete for the same source when only one is available far and wide. Hence, numerous bumble-bees and some bees die of starvation under this lime

Hardiness Zone

Zone 4   Also see chapter on topiary plants

Bee pasture / nectar

Yes

Synonyms

T. argentea