Japanese Zelkova Zelkova serrata

Japanese zelkova a tough and durable large decidous tree in the Ulmaceae (elm) family. It is a native of eastern Asia

 It is noted for its graceful vase shape when young, green textured foliage, and attractive honeycomb bark.   While the flowers are insignificant the fall leaf color is variable from yellow, burgundy, or a combination of colors.

The tree prefers full sun and has a medium water requirement. It is tolerant of drought once established and wind. Zelkova has been promoted in recent years as a substitute for American elm (Ulmus americana) because of its resistance to Dutch elm disease.

It serves as a good specimen lawn or shade tree and provides year-round interest with its unique bark. 

Seasons of Interest: 

Bark: Year-round     Foliage:  Spring, Summer, and Fall        Fruit:  Summer

Quick ID:

• vase-shaped tree when young, more open with age, and up to 50 to 80 feet tall and wide
• leaves borne on inverted pins
• leaves alternate and serrated
• veins parallel, each ending in a tooth
• teeth large, rounded, gland-tipped
• fruit gall-looking, ovoid to triangular
• honeycomb bark

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Leafrollers may be seen. Japanese zelkova is usually disease-free and is resistant to Dutch Elm disease and Elm leaf beetle.  In central North Carolina, this tree is showing stress in urban environments along streets and in parking lots.  This stress includes center of crown dieback and cracks in the bark.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.