should I uproot my lime trees?

11 years ago

I have just moved into a house that has a mini-lime avenue. The garden was totally overgrown when we moved in, and after we got it cleared we discovered a stone path with lime trees on each side, 11 in total that have all had their tops lopped off. I don't know whether to regrow them or have them uprooted. We want to lay some lawn on part of the garden so think we need to cover some of the path, but wonder if we should just take them all up. Someone told me lime trees can be a bit of a nightmare. I know nothing about gardens so any advice appreciated.

Here is a link that might be useful: garden

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Comments (2)

vetivert8
11 years ago
I can't quite make it out - is the purple plant to one side a beech? If so - your lawn is going to be a sorry sight. Unless you put in a grass species that is low light tolerant. They dim out most plants.

Unless you love pruning - you might also want to remove what looks to be a Lonicera nitida showing at the start of the 'lime walk'. They require regular grooming to be at their best.

Looking at that 'side of the house' picture - it was a little dark to see - check that whatever that hedging is can recover from repeated pruning, and expect it to look as if attacked by the Monster Caterpillars for at least three years while you take it back to elegant and manageable.

I, being foreign and of a romantic disposition, loved your paved walk. There may be a practical reason for it - apart from reaching that focal point. With all the rain you've had recently, what happened in that part of the garden? Did it pond?

It looks that the previous owner preferred shrubs, palms and trees to grass and flower beds - perhaps as a way to cut down work.

I totally agree that it has become overgrown. I'd take out the 'lime walk' - and wander the garden to see what else has become swamped, misshapen, or simply ugly - and remove it. I'd also be looking for 'character' in shape, trunks, arrangements of branches - and keep such plants where I could.

If in doubt - wait - unless the plant is causing structural damage to your house, paving, power lines, drains or blocking light and gutters for you - or the neighbours' property. For those - act swiftly. (You might need to check with your local council. Some of them have weird ideas about tree retention, regardless of how much nuisance it may be causing. And council folk can make life peculiarly horrid... You have been warned:-)) )

If you aren't actually going to personally grub this lot of beheaded limes out - do shop around for your contractor. They need to be qualified and insured and reputable and reliable. Your council or CAB might be able to direct you on this.
flora_uk
11 years ago
I seem to recall from previous questions and your pictures that you have inherited a garden which belonged to a real plantsman/woman. To me it looks as if the intention was to have a pleached lime walk there with a beautiful weathered brick path. (Example at the link). Limes are perfectly fine trees if planted in appropriate places and/or maintained properly. I would research this before taking any dramatic steps because I think you have a very carefully and skilfully planted and designed garden there, albeit overgrown and possibly quite high maintenance. There is some stunning hardscaping visible. You say you are a garden novice so if I were you I would really try to get some expert advice before you wade in. You wouldn't start hacking around if you moved into a beautiful historic house and from what I have seen you have got a potentially magical garden there. Do you have any evidence of who designed and or planted it? Where the plants came from etc? You might be able to trace someone who knows this garden and could help. It is a real responsibility but I would give my eye teeth to have it.

Here is a link that might be useful: A pleached lime walk
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