Organic Vegetable Gardening

Silver Lime and Common Ash

The small-leaved lime is widespread throughout most of Europe, extending northwards to Sweden, and eastwards to the Urals. In western and central Europe it occurs in oak forests in lowland and hill country. It also grows as a scattered tree in riverine forests, and is plentiful in scree woods.

The silver lime grows to a height of 25 to 30 metres, and develops a large, ovoid crown with dense foliage. The dark grey bark is smooth, even in older trees. The twigs and buds are slightly hairy and the leaves are covered with silvery-grey hairs below. The pale, yellow-green flowers appear a few clays later than those of the small-leaved lime and are even more fragrant. The fruit is a rounded, downy capsule. Unlike the other European lime trees, the silver lime retains its thick green foliage until late autumn, when the leaves turn yellow. It is an attractive ornamental and often planted in parks and avenues.

The common ash is widely distributed in southern, central and western Europe, the northern boundary of its range extending from Great Britain across Scandinavia to Leningrad and the Volga River. It is most plentiful in lowland forests on alluvial river deposits, and alongside streams. It is. also found growing in scree woods in hilly country and high up in the mountains, even at elevations above 1000 metres. It requires rich, moist soil to do really well and often occurs in damp gullies and near streams, though it does not tolerate water-logged situations.

The large-leaved lime is closely related to the small-leaved lime, and has a similar range of distribution. However, its northern boundary does not extend to the Baltic Sea, and, in the east, it occurs only as far as the western Ukraine. It is most plentiful in hilly country and foothills at elevations of 400 to 700 metres, though the occasional, single tree may be found up to 1000 metres above sea level. It occurs in broad-leaved woods and requires richer and moister soil than the small-leaved lime.

The common ash reaches a height of 30 to 35 metres or more under forest conditions, and develops a slender, straight bole with high set crown. It is sensitive to late spring frosts and, when the terminal shoot is damaged, often develops twin stems.

The horse-chestnut thrives best in rich, moist soil, but is tolerant of poor light and pollution. In severe winters it can be slightly damaged by frost. The wood is not considered of much value.

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