American Zelkova
Zelkova serrata · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Ulmaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Street Tree, Ornamental
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species (common cultivars include 'Green Vase' and 'Village Green')
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 8; very adaptable to the climate of Culpeper, Virginia.
About This Tree
A medium-sized deciduous tree typically reaching a vase-shaped habit with a spreading, rounded crown. It features upward-branching limbs and a dense canopy that provides excellent shade. Known for its graceful silhouette and clean foliage.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate arrangement; leaves are 1.5 to 3.5 inches long, ovate-oblong with distinctive coarsely serrated (saw-toothed) margins; dark green in summer turning shades of yellow, orange, and deep red in the fall.
Bark Characteristics
Grayish-brown when young; as it matures, the bark exfoliates or peels back to reveal a beautiful inner bark of burnt-orange or cinnamon color, often compared to lacebark elm.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Japan, Korea, and Eastern China; widely adapted to the Eastern United States including Virginia.
Growing Season
Leafs out in early spring; flowers appear in April concurrently with leaves; fruits ripen in autumn; enters dormancy in late autumn after leaf drop.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires Full Sun for best form and color; prefers moist, well-drained soils but is highly adaptable once established; moderate water needs with high drought tolerance.
Mature Size
Mature height of 50-80 feet with a spread of 40-60 feet; moderate to fast growth rate; can live for over 100 years.
Special Characteristics
Notable for its high resistance to Dutch Elm Disease, making it a popular replacement for American Elms. Highly tolerant of urban pollution, wind, and heat; provides spectacular multi-tonal fall color.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides nesting sites and cover for songbirds; its small, wingless drupe fruits provide food for various birds and small mammals; generally lacks significant pest or disease issues that affect local ecologies.
Notes
Culpeper, Va