Caucasian Zelkova
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Forms a fastigiate, ovoid to oblong head of upright branches, to 50-75' tall and 30-50' wide, with a short trunk & vertical branches. Vase-shaped, upright-oval or goblet-shaped tree. Branches arise from the trunk at very steep angles, ascending upward. This is a slow-growing tree. Long-lived.

Native Range

Native to the Caucasus, Kackar, and Alborz Mountains in extreme southeast Europe and southwest Asia (and the southern coastal regions of the Caspian Sea). Found in Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Turkey and Azerbaijan. Introduced into cultivation in 1760.

Flower and Fruit Details

The spring flowers are inconspicuous, greenish, no petals, wind pollinated. The fall fruits are small drupes, (sometimes called nutlets), 3/16-1/4" in diameter, green to brown in color.

Leaf and Bark Features

Deciduous: Alternate, simple, ovate leaves, 1.5-3" long and 0.75-1.75" wide, acute at the tip, coarsely serrate-crenate around the margin, dark green on top with a few scattered hairs, but lighter green beneath, and scabrous to more downy. Short petiole, 1/8" long. Leaves change to yellow or golden-orange, depending on weather conditions. Notable Bark: Trunk, up to at least six feet in diameter on old trees, is beech-like, starting out smooth and silvery-gray, then flaking or peeling in flakes with age. The young branches and twigs have a dense covering of short, soft hairs.

Culture and Care

Needs full sun. Prefers moist, organic soils. Tolerates some clay. Zone (5)6-9. Few diseases or pests.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts

4-season interest: Spring, summer, fall, winter. Often referred to as "Caucasian Elm", this tree has an IUCN Red List classification as "Near Threatened". Major threats are deforestation and extensive logging. It has nearly been wiped out of Turkey.

Suggested Uses

Used in lawns, landscapes and courtyards as an upright, oval, vase-shaped shade tree. Narrower habit helps on smaller properties.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA