The dendrochronological potential of lime (Tilia spp.) from trees at Hampton Court Palace, UK

Abstract

Common lime (Tilia × europaea L.) and large-leaved lime (Tilia platyphyllos Scop.) are dendrochronologically and dendroclimatologically analysed for the first time. Lime is thought to be sensitive to climate change. Once a dominant species in Europe, it has been in general decline from 3100 BC, but recently it has been found to be increasing the northern limits of its range. Twenty-five trees from Hampton Court Palace (UK) are cross-matched to form a 138-year chronology spanning from AD 1866 to AD 2003. The relationships with climate were investigated using monthly instrumental records of precipitation and temperature from Kew between AD 1872 and AD 1997. The age of the lime trees was found to correlate well with girth (r = 0.87). The annual resolution of the chronology is robustly supported by regional cross-dating against established oak and yew chronologies. Summer precipitation (May, June and August) was shown to be a time-stable determinant of annual variation in radial growth. Problems of indistinct boundaries and missing rings, which become more prevalent in trees over 100 years of age, may limit the dendrochronological potential of lime.