Zelkova serrata
Japanese Zelkova
Mature Size, Growth, Longevity
Average mature size 50-80' tall and 30-60' wide, possibly to 120' tall in optimal conditions of native range. Width generally less than height. Tight, upright, vase-shaped branching habit. Medium growth rate, somewhat faster in youth, 10-12' over a 4-6 year period when young.
Native Range
Native to Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Manchuria, in rich soils at the foot of mountains and along the banks of rivers and streams. Introduced about 1860, to America in 1862.
Flower and Fruit Details
Flowers are "trimonoecious" - male, bisexual, and female flowers in regular sequence on a short shoot, majority are male. They are greenish, not showy, appearing in April with the leaves. Fruits are small, kidney bean-shaped drupes, about 0.25" across, ripening in fall.
Leaf and Bark Features
Deciduous: Leaves alternate, simple, ovate to oblong-ovate, 1.25-2" long (to 5" on vigorous shoots), 0.75-2" wide, acuminate at the tip. Larger on more vigorous shoots. Dark green and rough above, glabrous beneath. Short, 1/12-1/4" petiole. Fall leaf color is yellow-orange-brown, possibly deep red to reddish-purple. Notable Bark: Young stems are pubescent. Cherry-like bark, reddish-brown with abundant lenticels; with age becomes gray-brown and exfoliating similar to Chinese Lacebark Elm.
Culture and Care
Prefers moist, deep soil, but tolerates clay and high or low pH. Moderately pollution tolerant. Very wind and drought tolerant once established. Susceptible to frost while still young. Zones (4)5 to 8. Full sun for best fall color. Shows good resistance to elm leaf beetle and Japanese beetle. Thought to be resistant to Dutch elm disease, but some sources question this. Susceptible to bacterial canker.
Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts
4-season interest: Spring, summer, fall & winter. Produces high-quality timber with beautiful grain structure and good strength; used for expensive furniture.
Suggested Uses
Good foliage, interesting habit and bark makes this species a good addition to lawns and parks, or along residential streets. Replacement option for American Elms.
Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA
The following taxa are (or were) represented in the collections at Boone County Arboretum. Additional taxa may be available in the trade that are not included here.
Zelkova serrata 'JFS-KW1' // City Sprite® Japanese Zelkova
Tree. Short internodes create a densely-branched, semi-dwarf tree with a compact oval to vase-shaped habit. Foliage is fine-textured and bright green, changing to golden-yellow to bronze in the fall. This is a smaller tree, only 24' tall and 18' wide. Discovered as a chance seedling. Perfect for smaller landscapes and tight, urban spaces. Low maintenance.
BT001783Zelkova serrata 'JSC Kingsthree' // David's Weepabout™ Zelkova
Tree. Weeping to semi-pendulous branch structure, different fall leaf color (the margins of the leaves become reddish-brown, while the middle of the leaf changes to light yellowish-brown and then to reddish-brown), leaves velvet-textured and curled. Tolerant of cold and drought. Pubescent petioles look like they are covered with frost when the morning sun passes through the branches. Leaves emerge reddish-brown in the spring. New cultivar. Estimated size: 20-40' tall & wide. Survives late spring freezes and extreme temperature swings better than most Zelkovas, and can also tolerate moisture extremes well. Is insect and disease resistant. Elongated, narrow leaves, incised (deeply toothed), w/ threadlike, filiform leaf apex.
BT001628Zelkova serrata 'Ogon' // Bright Park (Ogon) Zelkova
Tree. Bright yellow leaves in the spring, changing to yellow-green through the summer and fall seasons. Even the stems have an amber-yellow color, even through the winter. Branches and young trunk are amber-brown in color. Grows more slowly than the species, to 40-50' tall and 25-30' wide. Extreme heat may damage some leaves at the top of the tree. Origin: Barry Yinger in Maryland. Tolerant of soil pH 4.5-7.5. Full sun to light shade. Great as a street tree or landscape tree.
BT001307 - BT001308 - BT001309Zelkova serrata 'Schmidtlow' // Wireless® Japanese Zelkova
Tree. Grows to 24' tall by 36' wide, with a broadly-spreading vase-shaped to flat-topped with age. Leaves are small, 2-3" long, oval in shape. Good red, orange-red, bronze-red to purple fall foliage color. Could be used in parking lot islands or under utility lines and power lines, thus the name.
BT001815Zelkova serrata 'Village Green' // Village Green Japanese Zelkova
Tree. A fast grower, forming a smooth, straight trunk, to 40' tall and wide. Dark green summer foliage turns rusty red to wine-red in the fall. Tough, cold hardy, disease resistant, especially resistant to Dutch Elm Disease. Very resistant to leaf beetles and bark beetles. A dense grower with an upright vase shape.
BT001252