Why is it called a lime tree?
The bark of the lime can be stripped off a dead tree and made into lines (hence the tree’s original name was probably Line-tree), this being the root of its other popular name, the Linden (line + den short for tree). Regarding the linden tree, it is a deformation of the word lind that led to lime. The name for the fruit has the same origin as lemon. It comes from Arabic limah citrus fruit, itself from Persian limun lemon.
What is special about lime trees?
Lime wood is soft and light, white-yellow and finely textured. It is easy to work and often used in wood turning, carving and furniture making. Lime bark was traditionally used to make rope, and lime flowers were considered a valuable source of food for honey bees. The fibres of the inner bark, known as ‘bast’ are strong and elastic when stripped and have been used in past times to make string and rope products. Lime tree branches have been traditionally coppiced as fodder for cattle, which graze on the foliage to improve their milk.Uses of small-leaved lime Lime wood is soft and light, white-yellow and finely textured. It is easy to work and used in turnery, carving and furniture-making. Lime bark was traditionally used to make rope. The wood is still used today to make sounding boards and piano keys as it doesn’t warp.
What is a British lime tree?
The Common Lime is a natural hybrid of the Broad-leaved Lime and the Small-leaved Lime and grows across Europe wherever these two are present. In Britain it has been planted everywhere in streets, parks, churchyards and formal gardens. Because it is a hybrid it grows rapidly and can reach 40m in height. Limes start out as deep dark green fruit on the tree when they are young. As they grow and mature, they become brighter and brighter. And if they are left on the tree , they will turn yellow. They turn yellow as the chlorophyll in the peel begins to break down, revealing the skin’s yellow pigments.Limes are ready when they are just turning yellow and if you give them a gentle squeeze, are soft rather than hard. It will depend upon your variety, but Tahitian or Beares limes are ready when just starting to lighten in colour from dark green to light green/yellow.Limes start out as deep dark green fruit on the tree when they are young. As they grow and mature, they become brighter and brighter. And if they are left on the tree , they will turn yellow.They will eventually fall from lime trees as they turn yellow. Lime tree harvest generally takes place during summer. Limes take about three to four months until they reach peak flavor.Lime trees need a warm, sunny, sheltered position outdoors in summer (mainly from early to mid-June until the end of August in most parts of Britain) and a well-lit position indoors for autumn, winter and spring – preferably a cool greenhouse or conservatory.
Is lime tree edible?
All the different lime species have technically edible leaves: the big difference is that some of them are hairy and unpalatable, while others are smooth and slip down a treat. Limes are hermaphrodite, meaning both male and female reproductive parts are contained within each flower. Flowers are green-yellow, have five petals, and hang in clusters of 4–10. They have a rich, heavy scent which attracts many insects, particularly bees.Limes are small, green, and more tart than lemons, which are larger, oval-shaped, and yellow. Nutritionally, they’re almost identical and share many of the same potential health benefits. Lemons and limes are some of the most popular citrus fruits in the world.Most species and hybrids of citrus plants called limes have various origins within tropical Southeast Asia and South Asia. They were spread throughout the world via migration and trade. The makrut lime, in particular, was one of the earliest citrus fruits introduced to other parts of the world by humans.Since lemons and limes both hail from the Citrus genus, it’s easy to see where the color-based confusion lies. But despite being related, lemons and limes are two completely different fruits. They grow in different environments. They produce their own distinctly shaped fruits that can reach different sizes.