Zelkova serrata

Scientific Name: Zelkova serrata

Common Name: Japanese zelkova

Native Range: Eastern Asia

Zone: 5 to 8

Plant type & Form: Deciduous tree with an upward-branching vase shape

Height: 50.00 to 80.00 feet

Spread: 50.00 to 80.00 feet

Bloom Time: March to April

Bloom Description: Green

Flower: Insignificant

Fruit: Small, ovate wingless drupes

Leaf: Ovate to oblong medium green leaves with serrated margins – good fall color with shades of yellow, orange, and red

Sun: Full sun

Water: Medium

Soil type & pH: Average well-drained soils but prefers rich, moist loams

Maintenance: Low

Suggested Use: Shade tree, street tree

Tolerates: Air Pollution

Notes: This plant has recently been used as a substitute for American elm because it is resistant to Dutch elm disease.

Identification notes: This plant has an alternating leaf arrangement. When young, the tree has smooth grey-brown bark with lenticels. Older trees have an exfoliating bark that exposes orange patches of inner bark.