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The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 10.0609  Monday, 5 April 1999.

From:           Ros King <R.C.King@qmw.ac.uk>
Date:           Wednesday, 31 Mar 1999 17:00:48 +0000
Subject: 10.0577 Re: Lines and Limes in The Tempest
Comment:        Re: SHK 10.0577 Re: Lines and Limes in The Tempest

Lime tree twigs are not sticky in themselves. The stickiness is exuded
by aphids feeding on the leaves and is filthy because it traps dust and
grows mould. It's a hazard which  mostly I think affects the common
lime, Tilia cordata, in mid-summer - don't shade your car under one
because it takes a lot of getting off the windscreen! It used to be much
planted as a street tree, but no longer because of this very reason. The
full grown lime or linden tree is enormous although it can be coppiced,
and yes it provides a beautiful close-grained, pale wood suitable for
intricate carving. Grinling Gibbons used it regularly. The flowers smell
delicious and make a pleasant tisane said to be relaxing and good for
the nerves but it certainly wouldn't be my choice as a clothes line. The
twigs tend to grow horizontally or even slightly downwards so clothes
(unless stuck by the aphids) would probably fall off! The citrus variety
must be a red-herring, so to speak, in this context.

Best,
Ros King
School of English and Drama
Queen Mary and Westfield College
University of London

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