THIS once towering lime tree has been reduced to a shadow of its former self.

Also known as a Tilia, the tree was given a trim by council officials in Lindfield over health and safety fears.

The Argus featured the same tree in 2008 when chairman of Lindfield’s Eastern Road Nature Reserve, Dave Hill, made efforts to protect it from the chop.

There are about 30 species of native lime trees in the British Isles – though they are not closely related to the lime fruit.