Japanese Zelkova
Zelkova serrata · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Ulmaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Street Tree, Ornamental
Variety / Cultivar
Common Species (likely 'Green Vase' or 'Village Green' based on branching)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 5-8; highly adaptable to urban heat and wind.
About This Tree
Medium to large deciduous tree with a distinctive vase-shaped habit and a rounded, spreading crown. Often planted as a replacement for the American Elm due to its similar form and disease resistance.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate, ovate to oblong-elliptic, 1.5-4 inches long with prominent serrated (saw-tooth) margins and acuminate tips. Dark green in summer, turning yellow, bronze, or rusty-red in fall.
Bark Characteristics
Smooth and grayish-brown when young, developing into an exfoliating pattern with age that reveals orange-to-cinnamon inner bark patches.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Japan, Korea, and Eastern China; widely adapted to North America and Europe.
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-spring; flowers in April; fruits in autumn; enters dormancy in late autumn after fall color change.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun; requires moderate watering during establishment. Once mature, it is remarkably drought-tolerant and adaptable to various soil pH levels.
Mature Size
Reaches 50-80 feet in height with a similar spread. Growth rate is medium. Lifespan typically ranges from 50 to 150 years.
Special Characteristics
Resistant to Dutch Elm Disease and Elm Leaf Beetle. Valued for its elegant architecture, urban tolerance, and attractive peeling bark.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides nesting sites for birds; seeds are consumed by small mammals and some songbirds. Generally low ecological impact as it is rarely invasive.