Linden (Tilia amurensis)

Overview

Tilia amurensis, the Amur linden, is a robust and highly adaptable medium-sized shade tree originating from Manchuria, Korea, and Siberia. It offers gardeners a reliable, low-maintenance specimen known for its handsome foliage and late-spring fragrance. This Linden variety is a practical choice for larger landscapes looking to establish significant canopy cover quickly.

This species shares similarities with the Japanese linden but is distinguished by its slightly smaller leaves and flower clusters. The fragrant, pale yellow blooms in June are a significant ornamental feature, attracting pollinators to the garden space. Its overall character makes the Tilia amurensis an excellent background component in large-scale plantings.

As an urban survivor, the Amur linden exhibits good tolerance for tough conditions often found along streetsides and in compacted soils. Its adaptability, coupled with its low maintenance requirements, solidifies its value as a functional and beautiful addition to many North American landscapes where a substantial tree is needed.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Malvaceae
• Plant Type: Tree
• Native Range: Manchuria, Korea, southeastern Siberia
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-7
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 50-75 ft
  • Spread: 30-50 ft
• Bloom Time: June
• Bloom Description: Pale yellow
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

Planting of Tilia amurensis is best done either in early spring before bud break or in the fall after leaf drop. Select a location offering full sun to partial shade, ensuring there is adequate space for its mature spread of up to 50 feet. While easily grown in average, medium-moisture, well-drained soils, this Linden prefers rich, fertile loams where it can thrive best.

Water newly planted trees deeply and regularly during the first few growing seasons to establish a strong root system. Mature trees require medium water input, though they possess good drought tolerance once established. Fertilizing is rarely necessary unless the soil is extremely poor; if needed, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring. Pruning should be minimal, focusing only on removing dead, damaged, or crossing branches during the dormant season.

The Amur linden shows excellent adaptability to urban environments, tolerating pollution and compact soils better than some ornamental peers. Avoid planting near sensitive pavements or underground pipes where future root expansion could cause issues. This tolerance for varied soil conditions means its cultural needs are simple, fitting perfectly into low-intervention landscape designs.

Landscape Uses

The primary strength of the Tilia amurensis lies in its capacity to function as an effective street tree and shade provider. Because it is not widely planted in the U.S., it offers a slightly unexpected, yet highly reliable, alternative to more common linden species for large open lawns or park settings. Its substantial height and broad canopy create excellent vertical interest and deep, cooling shade.

As a specimen tree, the Amur linden stands well on its own, showcasing its form and fragrant summer flowers. For borders or screens, groupings of this Linden create an imposing, uniform sightline. While its fall color is unremarkable (pale green to yellow), its summer presence, marked by those showy, fragrant flowers, compensates for a less dramatic autumn show.

Consider planting it where its fragrance can be appreciated, such as near patios or walkways, particularly during June when the pale yellow blooms appear. It pairs well visually with textured, later-blooming shrubs that provide contrast to its broad, dark green summer leaves. Its resistance to many common urban stresses makes it a dependable backbone plant in civic landscaping projects.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy
• Fragrant

Fruit Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Tilia amurensis, commonly called Amur linden, is native to Korea and Russia, growing into a medium-sized shade tree reaching 50-75’ tall. It is identifiable by its green leaves (to 2.5” long) featuring sharply serrate margins and cordate bases, typically glaucous underneath, and distinct from Tilia japonica by having smaller leaves and cymes. Fragrant, pale yellow flowers bloom in pendulous cymes in June, maturing into ovoid-globose nutlets attached to narrow, bract-like wings by late summer.

Tolerances

• Drought

Potential Problems

The Tilia amurensis boasts a generally robust health profile, with no serious, consistent insect or disease pressures. However, gardeners should remain vigilant for several sporadic issues. Verticillium wilt remains a potential threat, and if contracted, it can be fatal to the tree by disrupting water flow to the canopy.

Common cosmetic issues include the potential for powdery mildew, minor leaf spots, and canker, especially when air circulation is poor or the tree is stressed. Vigilance against common tree pests is necessary; insect visitors may include borers, scale insects, leaf miners, lace bugs, various caterpillars, aphids, and the persistent Japanese beetle.

If the tree experiences periods of intense heat coupled with drought stress, spider mites can become troublesome, leading to stippling on the leaves. Maintaining consistent, deep watering during dry spells is the primary preventative measure against mite infestations and general stress that invites secondary problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Linden suitable for?

Linden (Tilia amurensis) is highly adaptable, thriving in USDA Zones 3 through 7.

How large does Tilia amurensis grow?

This tree typically reaches mature heights between 50 and 75 feet, with a spread ranging from 30 to 50 feet wide.

When does Tilia amurensis bloom?

The Amur linden blooms during June, producing clusters of fragrant, pale yellow flowers.

What sun exposure does Linden need?

Tilia amurensis performs well across a range, needing full sun to slight partial shade for optimal growth and flowering.

Conclusion

The Amur linden, distinguished by its low maintenance needs and excellent urban tolerance, represents a superior choice for reliable structure and summer fragrance in larger properties. If you seek a sturdy, medium-to-large canopy provider that handles varied conditions well, Tilia amurensis is an excellent candidate. Always check your specific USDA zone compatibility before planning its placement in the landscape this fall or spring.

Companion Planting

This Linden thrives alongside plants that enjoy similar soil averages and sun exposure, complementing its large scale without competing aggressively with its established roots. Consider planting low-growing perennials or groundcovers beneath its canopy that do not require deep soil disturbance for maintenance. Shade-tolerant hostas, ferns, or spring ephemerals like Mayapples (Podophyllum) are excellent choices that appreciate the filtered light provided by the maturing tree.

When selecting surrounding woody plants, focus on those that appreciate well-drained, fertile loams, echoing the preferred soil type of Tilia amurensis. Avoid shallow-rooted turf grasses directly under the dripline, as they compete heavily for surface water. Instead, use mulch or shade-tolerant groundcovers to conserve moisture and improve the soil structure around this valuable shade tree.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Spring is the ideal time to inspect your established Linden for any winter-related damage and perform light pruning before the major flush of growth begins. This is also the best window for incorporating any necessary soil amendments or slow-release fertilizer, though rarely needed. Ensure consistent, deep watering as temperatures climb prior to summer heatwaves.

During the summer months, monitor for signs of spider mite activity, especially during hot, dry spells, and water deeply at the base of the tree if signs appear. If blooming occurs in June, enjoy the fragrant display; this is the main summer show for the Tilia amurensis. Fall maintenance is minimal; allow leaf drop to occur naturally and let any spent nutlets fall.

Winter care centers on protection while dormant. If you have recently transplanted the Amur linden, protect the young bark from sunscald and animal girdling using appropriate wraps or guards. Once established, the tree requires very little specific winter intervention, relying on its native hardiness to carry it through the cold season.