The small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata) is a noble deciduous tree, which is typically found in dry herb-rich forests and at the bases of cliffs, is not as common in Finland as it used to be due to excessive felling. Small-leaved lime used to be an important material for making ropes, nets and sacks. Nowadays its leaves and flowers are used as wild herbs.
The common lime (Tilia x europaea), which is a popular street side tree, can be distinguished from the straight-trunked small-leaved lime by the burrs on its trunk, which sprout additional shoots. The small-leaved lime avenues on Vallisaari island were originally planted by Russian soldiers.
Small-leaved lime, photo the City of Helsinki materialbank, Kaarina Heikkonen.