The gall mites Eriophyes tiliae causes gall to develop on the upper surface of Lime tree leaves.  The galls can be long and pointed ('nail galls') or shorter and with rounded tips, and are often reddened.  They can occur on the hybrid Common  Lime, Tilia x europaea, Large-leaved (T. platyphyllos) and Small-leaved lime (T. cordata).

It used to be thought that these galls on Large-leaved and Small-leaved limes were caused by different species, but this is no longer considered to be the case; in the latest edition of British Plant Galls (Redfern & Shirley 2023) Eriophyes lateannulatus has been combined with E tiliae.  

Gall  Adult

If possible, identify the species of lime

Anywhere that the host trees grow

During late spring and summer.

The mites move onto the foliage in the spring, having overwintered in the bark crevices or around buds. As the mites suck sap from the leaf surface the chemicals released cause the galls to develop. 

Very common and widespread in Britain where the host trees grow.

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.