After a few days of proper warm spring sunshine suddenly everything seems to be bursting into life and the long hard freeze already seems a distant memory. Beware the hard ground frosts at night though! This stunning Small-leaved lime Tilia cordata coppice was spotted near Bridgnorth this week. The stools are showing some fantastic regrowth and just how amenable this species is to coppicing. The wood is multipurpose, ideal for poles, firewood, furniture and carving. It is soft when green and dries pale and hard, good for beginners to try carving spoons, an activity for the remainder of lockdown? Lime trees are estimated to have about 31 associated insects and 83 lichens and is a fabulous source of pollen and nectar. The natural distribution of Small-leaved lime is limited by cool summers as it needs warmth to regenerate from seed.
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| Small-leaved Lime, Tilia cordata coppice near Bridgnorth |
Also putting on a show were the native wild Daffodil, Narcissus pseudonarcissus:
What is bursting into life near you?
