Zelkova serrata

Japanese grey-bark elm, Saw-leaf Zelkova

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Description

Zelkova serrata (Japanese grey-bark elm, Saw-leaf Zelkova) originated in China, Korea and Japan and there, it grows in ravines, lowlands (stream valleys) and on shaded hill slopes. In the forests of Japan, the strong grower (reaching up to 30 metres in height) occurs along with other species including Acer japonicum, Cornus controversa and Juglans ailantifolia. In 1830, German botanist, doctor and scientist Philipp Franz von Siebold brought two Zelkovas to the Dutch Leiden University’s Hortus Botanicus, where today they still remain. From the Hortus, the Zelkova started a spread throughout Europe. In cultivation, the Zelkova serrata becomes 10 - 12 metres tall, with a short stem and a wide, vase-shaped crown.

The rough, egg-shaped leaves of the Zelkova serrata bud red-violet and hairy, turning dark green with a light green underside in summer. The autumn colours of the saw-leaf Zelkova differ per tree and are a lovely gradient of golden yellow and orange-red. The tree blooms small green flowers in April. The few nuts that appear from September to November are brown and discrete. Zelkova serrata has light grey, smooth bark that peels off when it is older, revealing orange underbark. The bare, brown-violet branches and fine twigs make for an elegant winter silhouette.

The strong Japanese grey-bark elm is suitable for a wide range of uses as a standard or multi-stem solitary tree, and can be planted in various environments. From roof gardens to squares, and from industrial areas to parks: the ornate tree will thrive. With its low branches, the species is not as well-suited to planting in streets. The saw-leaf Zelkova will grow optimally in a warm, sunny to partially shaded environment, preferably in loamy and nutrient-rich soil, though the tree will also do well in poorer and dryer types of soil. With its deep, lateral roots, the species will anchor very well and is very wind-tolerant. Due to its outward similarities and good resistance to plagues and diseases, Zelkova serrata is often used to replace the elm.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees multi-stemmed trees trees for climbing shade trees characteristic trees solitary shrubs

Topiary on stem

vase

multi-stem umbrella

Use

Location

avenue square park central reservation in containers roof garden large garden cemetery traffic areas, industrial zones

Pavement

none

open

sealed

Planting concepts

prairie planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

wide vase-shaped

Crown structure

semi-open

Height

10 - 12 m

Width

10 - 12 m

Winter hardiness zone

6A - 9B

Aspects

Wind

tolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

dry moist

Light requirements

sun partial shade

pH range

acidic neutral

Extreme environments

tolerant to salt spray tolerant to dryness tolerates air pollution tolerates heat

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Photos

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standard tree

multi-stem

multi-stem umbrella

leaves

autumn leaves

bark

twigs

Seasonal colours

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Flowers

discrete small

Flower colour

green

Flowering period

April

Leaves

Leaf colour

buds violet dark green underside pale green

Leaves

deciduous ovate rough dentate

Autumn colour

golden yellow orange-red bronze-red

Fruits

Fruit colour

brown

Fruits

discrete small nut

Bark

Bark colour

orange brown grey

Bark

peeling smooth, later on rough

Twigs

Twig colour

brown brown-violet

Twigs

bare zigzagging finely branched

Root system

deep extensive tap root

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

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Zelkova serrata

Japanese grey-bark elm, Saw-leaf Zelkova

Description

Types of planting

Tree types

Topiary on stem

Use

Location

Pavement

Planting concepts

Characteristics

Crown shape

Crown structure

Height

Width

Winter hardiness zone

Aspects

Wind

Soil

Nutrient level

Soil moisture level

Light requirements

pH range

Extreme environments

Get to know Ebben Nurseries

Place order or further information?

Photos

Seasonal colours

Flowers

Flowers

Flower colour

Flowering period

Leaves

Leaf colour

Leaves

Autumn colour

Fruits

Fruit colour

Fruits

Bark

Bark colour

Bark

Twigs

Twig colour

Twigs

Root system

Root system

For and by green professionals

TreeEbb

Winter hardiness

FIND OUT MORE

CONTACT

STEP INTO OUR GREEN WORLD!

STAY UP TO DATE