Large Leaved Lime
Scientific name: Tilia platyphyllos
Overview
Large Leaved Lime is a traditional European hardwood species known for its soft texture, carving qualities, and smooth uniform appearance. Closely related to Small Leaved Lime, this species has historically been used across Europe for sculpture, decorative carving, musical instruments, and fine interior woodworking.
The wood is pale in color with a fine and even texture that allows for clean cutting and shaping. Compared to many denser European hardwoods, Large Leaved Lime is valued more for workability and precision carving than for strength or hardness.
Within the European hardwood cluster, this species serves as another important classic carving wood with strong historical woodworking significance.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Large Leaved Lime
- Scientific Name: Tilia platyphyllos
- Region: European Hardwoods (Europe)
- Tree Size: 80–130 ft tall, 3–5 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 33 lbs/ft³ (530 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 430 lbf
- Color: Pale cream to light yellowish white
- Grain: Straight and uniform
- Texture: Fine and even
Identification Characteristics
Large Leaved Lime is identified by its pale coloration, soft appearance, and consistent grain structure. The wood usually shows little visible figure and maintains a smooth, even surface texture across most boards.
Growth rings can appear slightly more visible than in Small Leaved Lime, though the overall appearance remains subtle and refined. The species generally lacks dramatic color variation or bold grain contrast.
Key identification traits include:
- Very fine texture
- Pale cream coloration
- Straight grain pattern
- Subtle growth ring definition
- Low natural luster
- Soft and uniform surface appearance
Working Properties
Large Leaved Lime is highly regarded for carving and detailed woodworking applications.
Its softness and stability make it especially useful for decorative carving, instruments, sculpture, and lightweight interior woodworking.
- Machines easily with hand and power tools
- Excellent for carving and shaping
- Turns cleanly
- Sands rapidly to a smooth finish
- Accepts paint and stains evenly
- Glues reliably
- Minimal resistance during cutting
Safety Note
Wood dust from Large Leaved Lime may cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals. Proper dust collection and respiratory protection are recommended during woodworking operations.
Common Uses
Large Leaved Lime common uses including:
- Wood carving
- Sculpture
- Decorative woodworking
- Turned objects
- Musical instruments
- Interior millwork
- Pattern making
- Furniture components
Sustainability & Notes
Large Leaved Lime remains relatively common across parts of Europe and is frequently planted in parks, historical landscapes, and managed forests.
The species is primarily valued for carving and specialty woodworking rather than structural use. Clean, knot-free material is especially desirable among carvers and instrument makers.
Historically, lime woods have played a major role in European artistic woodworking and religious sculpture traditions.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Small Leaved Lime – A closely related European carving hardwood with similar texture and woodworking behavior.
European Boxwood – A much denser carving species valued for extremely fine detail work and specialty turning.
European Beech – A harder and heavier European hardwood commonly used for furniture, flooring, and utility woodworking.
Related Guides
How to Identify Exotic Hardwood by Grain Pattern
Learn how texture, pore structure, and grain appearance help distinguish hardwood species.
Hardwood vs Softwood: Key Differences Explained
Explore the botanical and structural differences between hardwood and softwood species.
Understanding Wood Strength: What Makes Wood Strong?
Understand how density and grain structure affect hardness, durability, and woodworking performance.
Compare Wood Properties
See how this species ranks in density and hardness using our Wood Density & Janka Hardness Chart. You can also explore Hardest Woods, Softest Woods, and Most Dense Woods for quick comparisons.
Collector Notes
Large Leaved Lime samples should display consistent pale coloration with smooth and uniform grain. The wood often appears understated compared to more decorative hardwoods, but its refined texture makes it an important species within European woodworking collections.
Collectors should compare this species alongside Small Leaved Lime to observe the subtle differences in growth ring visibility and density.
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Do you have lumber, wood samples, tree photographs, woodworking projects, furniture, carvings, turnings, musical instruments, or other items made from this species?
Exotic Woods of the World welcomes photographs from woodworkers, collectors, sawyers, researchers, and wood enthusiasts around the world. Selected submissions may be featured on this page and throughout our website to help document and showcase real-world examples of this species.
When submitting photos, please include the common name, scientific name (if known), a brief description, and any information you would like us to share with the image.
Wood Sample Collection
This species is part of an ongoing effort to document and preserve wood samples from around the world.
Learn more about contributing to the collection:
Resources
Authoritative botanical and forestry references used in compiling information about this species include:
• USDA Forest Service – Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material
https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/products/publications/
• The Wood Database – Global reference for wood identification, physical properties, and woodworking characteristics
https://www.wood-database.com/
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – Plants of the World Online – Botanical taxonomy and species distribution database
https://powo.science.kew.org/
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List) – Global conservation status assessments
https://www.iucnredlist.org/
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – International trade regulations for protected plant species
https://cites.org/
Additional forestry publications, academic research papers, and regional timber studies may also be referenced where available.
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Availability & Where to Buy
Exotic hardwood availability can vary significantly depending on region, sustainability regulations, and supplier inventory.
As this archive grows, recommended suppliers and specialty wood retailers will be listed here to help woodworkers locate responsibly sourced material.
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