Japanese Zelkova, Zelkova serrata, Tree Seeds (Fast, Hardy, Fall Colors)
Japanese Zelkova is a deciduous tree, growing 50 to 80 feet tall with a fast to the moderate growth rate. Native to Japan, Taiwan, and Eastern China, it is noted for its fall colors and graceful shape with a spreading, upward-branching, vase-shaped crown that becomes more rounded with age.
Leaves are alternate, simple, ovate with an acuminate tip, to 3 inches long, pinnately veined, serrate with rounded over teeth turning various shades of brilliant yellows, oranges, and reds in the fall. Small yellow-green flowers are inconspicuous and are produced in early spring, followed by small, non-showy, ovate, wingless drupes.
The bark of Zelvova is smooth red-brown to gray and exfoliates with age to show its orange-brown inner bark. Zelkova is massive, with the trunk capable of growing to four feet or more in diameter. It is used as a commercial timber tree in Japan. It is resistant to Dutch elm disease and is often listed as a replacement for American Elm.
Leaf: Alternate, simple, ovate with an acuminate tip, 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches long, pinnately veined, serrate with rounded over teeth; leaves are dark green above and much paler below. Turns variable shades of showy fall colors.
Flower: Monoecious; yellow-green, not showy, occur in tight clusters along new stems; appearing before the leaves.
Fruit: A small triangular drupe, 1/6 inch long, green and later turning brown, maturing in mid to late summer.
Twig: Very slender, zigzag, red-brown in color; buds are reddish brown, cone-shaped, pointed and widely divergent.
Bark: Smooth and red-brown to gray when young with numerous lenticels; remains smooth for many years but eventually exfoliates into small patches, reddish brown in color.
Form: A medium size tree to 80 feet; low branching vase-shaped tree with very tight branch angles, becoming rounded and broad crown when mature.
Zone: 5 to 8
Growth Rate: Fast when young, medium upon middle age, and maturity.
Plant Type: Medium-sized Deciduous Tree
Family: Ulmaceae
Native Range: Japan, Taiwan, Eastern China
Height: 50 to 80 feet
Spread: 50 to 80 feet
Shape: Vase shape when young. Rounded and broad crown when mature.
Bloom Time: March to April
Bloom Color: Green
Sun: Full Sun
Fall Color: Variable and Showy. A mix of yellow, russet, bronze, dark red, and purple.
Drought Tolerance: Moderate to High
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
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