Japanese Zelkova

Japanese Zelkova

Zelkova serrata

Ulmaceae (Elm Family)

▲ young tree

▲ mature tree

▲ ▼ bark (tends to be smooth on younger trees, somewhat peeling on older trees)

▲ bark (on young tree)

▲ leaves

Location on campus: south of Lot 24 and Lot 22 (south of Grand) in lawn area of retention basin

Zelkova serrata: Japanese Zelkova

• leaves deciduous, alternate, simple, oblong-lanceolate with pointed tip, serrate margins; dark green and rough above; 1-5" long and 2/3 as wide
• stems slender, pubescent, brown; buds diverge from twigs (stand out)
• bark is smooth, dark gray with horizontal bands when young, becoming somewhat exfoliating like Chinese Elm with age
• grows 50-80' tall and 2/3 to equally wide in strong vase-shaped habit
• fruit is a small drupe
• prefers full sun, moist, well-drained, fertile soils, but very adaptable; can tolerate dry and high pH soils well; resistant to wind and ice damage
• medium growth rate
• generally resistant to Dutch Elm disease