Small leaved lime

Description

Despite its name, the small-leaved lime has no connection with the citrus fruit. It is a handsome native tree with glossy, heart-shaped leaves and small, fragrant, creamy-yellow flowers which attract great numbers of bees in midsummer.

It was once a dominant tree in British woodland but is now much less common. In some parts of England, its presence can indicate ancient woodland—although this particular specimen had chosen the rather less ancient surroundings of Clacket Lane Services on the M25.

Proof, perhaps, that even one of Britain’s most distinguished native trees can occasionally find itself somewhere it would rather not be.