The zelkova tree is a grandiloquent ornamental tincture tree with a public exposure , rounded or vase - mold crown , attractive grey-haired peeling barque , and large ovate leaves with serrated margins . The broadleaf deciduous zelkova tree produces clusters of non - gaudy yellowish - green flower in fountain . After blossom , the zelkova tree has modest immature drupes that ripen to brown in the descent .

This clause is a complete guide to identify species of zelkova tree diagram . Descriptions and depiction of zelkova Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree provide , flowers , and barque will assist you know these attractive trees in the landscape . to boot , you will get helpful tips on establish a zelkova tree in your yard .

Zelkova Tree Facts

Zelkova is a genus of deciduous trees in the elmwood familyUlmaceae . There are six species of zelkova tree and various cultivars . The commonZelkova serratatree is the most common and grows up to 100 foot . ( 30 m ) tall . However , zelkova tree cultivar are typically smaller and acquire between 10 and 80 ft . ( 3 – 24 m ) .

The popularZelkova serratatree is native to Japan , China , Taiwan , and Korea . This is a reason why the leafy ornamental tree has the common name Japanese zelkova . moreover , because the zelkova trees are related to elms , the tree also goes by the name Japanese elm .

Apart from being anattractive landscape painting tree , zelkova tree are also democratic bonsai trees . The Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ’s growth trait make it ideal for use in bonsai . It is an likeable multi - stemmed Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree with a spreading oval crown and beautiful leaves .

Zelkova serrata bonsai tree

Part of the popularity of zelkova trees is that they are tolerant of a kitchen stove of condition . The tone tree diagram with its bushy green foliage stand urban conditions , making it ideal as a street tree or decorative residential Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . In improver , the elegant zelkovatree is tolerant of drought , air current , and heat .

Zelkova trees are insensate - hardy in USDA zone 5 to 8 .

In addition to being an attractive ornamental tree , the zelkova tree has other uses . For example , in Japan , it has time value as a commercial-grade quality Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . In improver , the tree ’s timber is used in furniture output and making taiko drums .

The Japanese zelkova tree is also a suitable relief for growing an elmwood Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . The zelkovas have interchangeable growth habit toelm trees . However , they are tolerant to Dutch elm tree disease and are much hardier .

Zelkova Tree Leaves

Zelkova leaves in fall

A zelkova tree diagram has ovate , oblong green leaves with toothed margins . The showy leaves have a smooth grain . Yellowish veins turn tail from the midvein to the serrated bound are clearly seeable . Zelkova leaf produce up to 3 ” ( 7.5 cm ) long and have a tapered level .

The super C , ovate zelkova folio turn spectacular copper , yellow , orange , and reddened tone before dropping at the last of autumn . This growing gadget characteristic makes zelkova trees especially attractive landscape painting tree diagram in the fall .

Zelkova Tree Flowers

Zelkova serrata flowers

The bloom on a zelkova tree are green - yellow flower that acquire in drop clusters . Described as “ non - showy ” or insignificant , the prime bunch appear in spring and persist through summer . Zelkova flower do n’t have petals but lie of stamen clusters that grow on newfangled stems .

Zelkova Tree Fruit

Zelkova leave and young yield

Zelkova tree diagram fruit is a small stone fruit that appears green in summer after flowering . The small ovoid or triangular fruits train two tiny white beaks . As the light-green nut - alike fruit matures , it bit by bit turns brown .

Zelkova Tree Bark

Zelkova barque of young Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ( leave ) and mature tree ( right )

Attractive barque is an likeable lineament of a zelkova Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . The zelkova tree bark commence reddish - brown and is comparatively politic . An identifying feature of a zelkova tree is the cherry - like bark with marked horizontal lines called lenticels . As the tree matures , the bark becomes white-haired and exfoliating . The peeling bark bring out orangish inner bark , adding to the tree ’s attractiveness .

Zelkova Tree Identification

Identify a zelkova tree by its unforesightful central torso and spread branches forming a vase - shaped crown . Zelkovas have gray - white peel off barque revealing short orange inner bark . Large green serrated ovate leaf grow shades of crimson , orange , and yellow in the fall . Yellowish flower bunch and nut - like drupes grow on the tree diagram .

Types of Zelkova Trees (with Pictures) – Identification

allow ’s see in detail at some vulgar types of zelkova trees .

Zelkova serrata (Japanese Zelkova)

Zelkova serrata tree ( Japanese zelkova )

TheZelkova serrata — or Japanese zelkova — is a tall cosmetic shade tree with a graceful cast , growing 50 to 80 foot . ( 15 – 24 m ) tall and wide . The deciduous zelkova landscape painting tree is characterise by big serrate oblong leaves that sharpen to a point , cherry - like bark maturing to a hoary color , and small-scale drupes .

An identify feature of theZelkova serratais its vase - shaped riding habit . Branches depart relatively broken on the trunk and spread out , forming a obtuse canopy with a rounded top . The Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ’s growing charge per unit is relatively speedy when young . However , increment slows after a few years , and zelkovas are categorise as slow - growing tree .

Zelkova serratalance - shaped leafage are one of the attractive features of its development . The retentive 3 ” ( 7.5 curium ) green leaves have toothed edges and with a narrowing peak . The medium to dark green leaves rise on the end of petiole that criterion 0.2 ” ( 5 mm ) long . Each leaf has seeable vein that stretch parallelly from the midrib stop in a tooth .

Zelkova serrata leave

Zelkova serratabark is known for its attractive gray and orangish appearance . Immature Japanese elm tree have reddish - brownish barque that gradually turn grey-haired or gray - brown as it matures . The barque ’s exfoliating nature causes it to discase , revealing patch of orangish inner bark . This ontogeny habit give the zelkova ’s bark a cherry tree tree - corresponding appearance .

Zelkova serrata bark

As a specimen tree , lawn Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , or garden spook tree , theZelkova serratathrives in USDA 5 through 8 . The Japanese zelkova performs full in full Dominicus and fertile , moist , well - drained soils . The tree diagram is comparatively drought - large-minded when make , especially when establish in heavy grime . Because the Nipponese zelkova has good immunity to air - brook pollutants , it also produce well in urban environments .

AlthoughZelkova serratais a flowering tree , its flush are insignificant . Instead , small clusters of green or yellow-bellied flower appear with fresh foliage in the spring .

However , the tree ’s elementary time of year of pursuit is in the fall , when its large , toothed leaves make colorful autumn displays . The lanceolate intermediate - green farewell turn attractive shades of sullen flushed , reddish - imperial , gold yellow , and orange .

Autumn hang leaves of Zelkova serrata

Zelkova serrataproduces yield in the variety of small testicle - like drupes . The small kidney - shape drupes measure 0.23 ” ( 6 mm ) in diameter . They appear green in summer after the tree has finished flower . However , when the zelkova fruits have ripen in the decline , the roundish stone fruit are brown .

One of the advantages of the Nipponese zelkova is its impedance to Dutch elmwood disease . In many area , theZelkova serratais the ideal substitute forAmerican elm ( Ulmus americana)trees . The hardy trees also have fantabulous resistance to theJapanese beetleand elm leafage mallet .

Some variegate Zelkova serrata cultivar have attractive colorful foliation throughout the originate time of year . For example , the zelkova ‘ Fuiri Keyaki , ’ ‘ Goshki , ’ ‘ Pulverulenta , ’ and ‘ Variegata ’ have vary leaves with fleeceable centers and creamy livid or yellow margins .

Zelkova serrata ‘ Variegata ’

Zelkova leaves : Nipponese elm tree leave of absence are lanceolate with serrated margins and acuminate ( tapered ) bakshish . Yellowish mineral vein incline parallel from the midrib , each ending in one of the direct bakshish on the brand margin . The leave assess 3 ” ( 7.5 cm ) from the leafstalk to the solar apex and are 3 ” ( 7.5 centimetre ) at the wide-eyed point .

Zelkova recognition : To identify a Japanese zelkova tree diagram , look for its inadequate trunk with multiple spread out stems farm in a vase shape with a rounded canopy . The tree has characteristic mid - unripe lance - influence leaves that form impenetrable foliage . Zelkova serratatree has identifiable cherry - similar gray barque with pronounced lenticels .

Zelkova serrata ‘Village Green’

TheZelkova serrata‘Village Green ’ is a magniloquent deciduous shade tree with impenetrable foliage and a vase - shaped substance abuse . This zelkova cultivar is name by its attractive desquamation bark that is grey - brownness and exfoliates , revealing light orange patch . The big tree has lanceolate dark unripe leafage with harsh margins and pointed tips .

Bark of a young Zelkova serrata ‘ Village Green ’ tree diagram

The ‘ Village Green ’ zelkova cultivar is ideal for implant in residential landscapes as an decorative , shade , or specimen tree . maturate between 50 and 60 ft . ( 15 – 18 m ) with a exchangeable spread , the ‘ Village Green ’ with its upward - branch poll and graceful figure is ideal for bombastic spaces .

Zelkova serrata ‘Green Vase’

Zelkova serrata ‘ Green Vase ’ tree and bark

TheZelkova serrata‘Green Vase ’ is a tall , ornamental Nipponese elm tree . The identifying feature of the ‘ Green Vase ’ cultivar are its smooth milklike - gray barque featuring small horizontal prominence ( lenticels ) , a fragile trunk , and a narrow , spreading vase - shaped pennant . The tree diagram ’s dense foliage consists of dark unripe lancelike leafage with light green bottom and toothed edge .

Zelkova serrata ‘ Green Vase ’ leaves

The ‘ Green Vase ’ zelkova grows 60 to 80 foot . ( 18 – 24 m ) with a facing pages of 40 to 50 ft . ( 12 – 15 m ) . The showy lance - shaped leaves with their coarse serration turn attractive shades of orange - bronze in the fall .

The difference between the ‘ Village Green ’ and ‘ Green Vase ’ cultivar are acme and cast . The ‘ Green Vase ’ zelkova is slightly taller than the ‘ Village Green ’ with a narrow , upward - spreading crown . to boot , the ‘ Village Green ’ has better tolerance for cold climates than the ‘ Green Vase . ’

Zelkova serrata ‘Musashino’

TheZelkova serrata‘Musashino ’ is atall columniform Japanese elmwith a narrow vase - shaped habit . The ‘ Musashino ’ is identified by its small , ovate green leaf with serrated margins , liquid gray barque cover a straight , slender trunk . ‘ Musashino ’ zelkova is tight - turn and grows up to 45 foot . ( 13 m ) tall and 15 foot . ( 4.5 m ) wide .

Zelkova abelicea (Cretan Zelkova)

Zelkova abelicea ( Cretan zelkova ) Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree

The Cretan zelkova is a average - sized cosmetic Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree growing 33 – 49 ft . ( 10 – 15 m ) tall . The multi - stemmed Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree has a shrubby appearance with a dense crown of small green oval leaves with slightly serrated allowance . The zelkova also has identifiable flower cluster that produce a pleasant fragrance .

As its common name suggests , theZelkova abeliceais native to the island of Crete and is endangered in the wild .

In the Grecian island of Crete it ’s very common to find smaller sizedshrub - like zelkova abelica treeswith dwarf emergence of only 10 – 16 foot . ( 3- 5 m ) marvellous due to overgrazing by stooge and sheep . The tree unremarkably reproduces through suckers that issue around the principal shank .

Zelkova carpinifolia (Caucasian Zelkova)

Zelkova carpinifolia ( Caucasic Zelkova ) tree

The Caucasian zelkova is a mid- to gravid - sized deciduous Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree with a distinctive vase physical body , upward - spreading branches , and a short central trunk . The identify feature of speech of theZelkova carpinifoliaare large lance - shape farewell with serrated edges , small green flowers , and smooth grayish barque . The Caucasoid zelkova grows 66 – 115 foot . ( 20 – 35 m ) tall .

Zelkova carpinifolia leaves

Zelkova carpinifolialeaves are the largest of theZelkovagenus . The pointed ovate leafage mensurate 1.6 ” – 4 ” ( 4 – 10 cm ) long and up to 2.4 ” ( 6 curium ) astray . brusquely serrate margins with seven to 12 teeth are also an identifying characteristic of the leafage .

Zelkova carpinifolia barque

How to Plant Zelkova Tree

Zelkova serratais a popular shade tree in residential gardens . Because the tree has a large cattle farm of up to 80 ft . ( 24 m ) , it ’s vital to choose a suitable location to plant a zelkova tree . However , there are alsoZelkova serratacultivars useable that are beautiful dwarf orsmall ornamental trees .

To plant a Nipponese zelkova tree , find the sunny point in your garden with fertile soil and good drain . Dig a maw the deepness of the root ball and twice as wide . To assure healthy growth , work out in a good amount of compost to the ground . However , it ’s good to note that zelkova tree tolerate many grime type .

Plant the zelkova tree so that the root collar — the bulge where the roots begin to spread — is just above the surface . Then backfill the hole with the compost - amend soil . Keep pressing down the soil to take out air pockets . After that , irrigate the young zelkova exhaustively .

To care for a zelkova Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , insure that the ground is save moist . Although it is drouth - tolerant , zelkova trees perform best with infrequent , deep watering during wry summer . This low - maintenance tree diagram does n’t require any extra fecundation for healthy development . Adding a level of bark mulch around the base zone helps lock in wet and ply some nutrient .

As the zelkova grows , the smooth , reddish - brown bark with cherry red - like lenticel becomes grayish - brown , and the peeling bark reveals an orange inner barque .

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