[1] It was viewed as a challenge to hit a ball over the tree; only four batsmen, Arthur Watson, Learie Constantine, Jim Smith and Carl Hooper, managed it.

[1][4] In 1999, the St Lawrence Lime was diagnosed with heartwood fungus and given an expected lifespan of 10 years despite pollarding aimed to promote growth.

[6] Weakened by the fungus, the trunk of the tree was broken in two by high winds on 8 January 2005, leaving a 2.1 m (7 ft) stump.

Kent initially planned to use the replacement to take the place of the St Lawrence Lime and had permission from the Marylebone Cricket Club to do so.

[1] However, because the replacement was still small and was deemed unable to take a cricket ball and being less visible to players,[3] it was planted in the playing area outside the boundary ropes instead of inside to take the place of the St Lawrence Lime in a ceremony including former club captain Chris Cowdrey.