Tillylinde, Natural monument in Großgoltern, Barsinghausen, Germany

Tillylinde is a large lime tree standing next to St. Blasius Church with a completely hollow trunk. Iron supports and braces stabilize the tree, allowing it to remain standing despite the absence of solid wood in its interior.

The lime was probably planted when the first church was built in Goltern; a priest is recorded in 1181, and the tree is over 800 years old. The site between church tower and rectory is said to have been a medieval court place, and the Seelze lower court met in Goltern in 1188. Legend holds that Tilly's soldiers camped under the tree during the Thirty Years' War and burned the village; on 30 October 1625, 33 inhabitants hiding in the church tower died.

The name may derive from Thie, the Low German word for a court or assembly site: the spot between church tower and rectory is thought to have been a medieval Gogericht court. In 1188 the Seelze lower court met at Goltern. The legend of Tilly's soldiers, who plundered and burned the village in the Thirty Years' War, gave the tree its present name.

The tree is easy to reach and can be viewed from several angles since it stands on church grounds. The iron structures are clearly visible and show how much care goes into maintaining this ancient tree.

Despite having a completely hollow trunk, the tree remains surprisingly alive and produces new leaves each year. This shows how resilient this old lime tree is and how crucial the technical support has become for its survival.