The Gardener

Excerpt from The Gardener

The genus Tilia is composed of a limited number of umbrageous, deciduous trees, of stately growth, indigenous to the temperate and colder regions of Europe and North America. They are all very hardy, and of free growth in most districts of Britain 5 and though seldom if ever planted merely for their timber, they have long been extensively introduced into our parks and other ornamental planta tions, where, whether standing singly, grouped, or associated with other trees, they impart a richness and beauty to the landscape peculiarly their own. They are, moreover, invaluable for town gardens and street avenues, where, notwithstanding the dust and smoke, they succeed better than most other large-growing trees. The wood of the Lime-trees, though lacking the strength and durability necessary for general purposes, is nevertheless utilised in the countries where it abounds for fancy-work, such as cabinet making and carving, as it stands well when not exposed to the weather, is easily wrought, and is susceptible of a fine polish. The inner bark of all the species is strong and much used in the manu facture of mats, baskets, and other useful articles.