The red buds of the linden show no change since last month
Very little has changed since I chose this linden tree in February. For one thing it has been a short month and for another we had a blast of wintry snow for a few days, which seems to have set us back in our charge towards spring.
There have been no further clues to help me identify the tree fully, but there’s no reason to doubt that it is some variety of small-leaved linden or lime, Tilia cordata.
It stands in a car park by the Wharf (old East Bute Dock) near County Hall in Cardiff Bay and I doubt if I will ever see it without a background of vehicles.
Approaching the tree…
…view from the south side…
…view from the north side
The red arrow marks the location of the linden’s car park on a Google map – click on the image for a slightly bigger version
The tree looked quite dark and damp after the bad weather, but the red twigs are still bright
The sprouts are a little disorganised…
…as are the tangled mature branches
The trunk is very scratched and damaged…
…on all sides
You could say the tree has character…
…a closer look shows the patterned bark – I have seen old lindens with very deeply grooved bark, so this is perhaps how it begins
Branches against the clouds
As usual I couldn’t help noticing the neighbouring trees of the same species – this one has pale lichen like chewing gum on the bark…
…and sprouts from the base…
…and this beautiful rose of foliose lichen among moss
See you again next month, by which time I hope the leaf buds will be opening…
The Squirrelbasket 
Very interesting!
I must take a closer look at the Linden Tree in my yard.
Have a great week!
The council regularly (each year!) come and lop off the sprouts of the ones near us. Until then, Taz likes to thoroughly explore the scents 🙂
Hope you’re well Pat.
still impressed by how red those buds are!
I like the form of the tree crown. I’m sure it will look quite majestic in summer when it’s all green.
Yes, it has quite a good shape, compared to many bigger lindens I have seen.
All the best – hope spring comes to you soon 🙂
interesting character, I wonder how much sea wind it is exposed too, because those crossed and interlocking branches are like many of the trees in my garden, the trunk looks like it has taken a few knocks from motorists maybe, the red sprouts offer hope of spring, Frances
It certainly gets a cold wind across the dock when we have easterlies, but I think it is comparatively sheltered from the sea to the south.
Best wishes 🙂