Japanese Zelkova, Keaki, Keyaki, Saw-Leaf Zelkova
Japanese Zelkova (Zelkova serrata) is a large, graceful deciduous tree prized for its attractive vase-shaped form, serrated foliage, and unique exfoliating bark. Native to eastern Asia, including Japan, Taiwan, and eastern China, it has gained popularity as a street and shade tree, particularly as a substitute for the American elm due to its resistance to Dutch elm disease. Its stunning fall color, urban tolerance, and year-round interest make it an excellent choice for residential and public landscapes.
Japanese Zelkova belongs to the Ulmaceae family, which also includes the Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra), Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia), American Elm (Ulmus Americana), Cedar Elm (Ulmus crassifolia), and Siberian Elm (Ulmus pumila).
Japanese Zelkova is native to Japan, Taiwan, Korea, and eastern China. It thrives in forests, hillsides, and valleys, demonstrating excellent adaptability to different soils and conditions.
Japanese Zelkova is a large deciduous tree with a distinctive vase-shaped form when young, gradually maturing into a broad, rounded crown. Its graceful branching and clean foliage make it an attractive specimen tree. Mature trees offer excellent shade, thriving in heat, drought, wind, and urban conditions as a resilient elm alternative.
At maturity, Japanese Zelkova reaches 50 to 80 feet (15-24 m) tall and wide, forming a spreading canopy ideal for shade. The growth rate is moderate to fast, depending on growing conditions. In ideal conditions, it grows about 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 cm) per year. Discover 35 Fast Growing Trees for Small Yards and Large Gardens
With proper care, Japanese Zelkova can live well over 60 years, making it a long-term investment for landscapes.
Japanese Zelkova produces small, inconspicuous green flowers in early spring as the leaves emerge. These flowers give way to tiny, kidney-shaped drupes that ripen in late summer or early fall. The fruits have little ornamental value.
The leaves are simple, alternate, and ovate to oblong-ovate, with sharply serrated margins. They are mid-green in the summer, providing a fine texture, and turn vibrant shades of gold, dark red, or cinnamon in the fall, creating a spectacular seasonal display.
Young Japanese Zelkovas have smooth gray bark with numerous lenticels. As the tree matures, the bark begins to exfoliate, revealing attractive patches of orange-brown inner bark. This peeling bark provides year-round interest, especially in winter.
Japanese Zelkova is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8, making it suitable for much of the continental United States, including the Midwest, Northeast, and parts of the Southeast.
Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its outstanding qualities.
Japanese Zelkova provides cover and nesting sites for birds. While its fruits are not a significant wildlife food source, its foliage supports insect populations that are essential to the food web.
Young trees may be browsed by deer, but mature specimens have moderate resistance.
Japanese Zelkova is not considered toxic to humans, pets, or livestock.
Japanese Zelkova is considered invasive in parts of the United States and Cuba, where it self-seeds and spreads beyond cultivation. While valued as an urban tree, it can establish in natural areas, potentially displacing native vegetation. Find where it is invasive in the U.S.
Water regularly during the first two years. Mature trees are moderately drought tolerant.
Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring if soil is nutrient-poor. Typically, mature trees do not need regular fertilization.
Prune in late winter to shape the tree and remove dead or crossing branches. Japanese Zelkova responds well to structural pruning.
Japanese Zelkova can be propagated from seeds, but patience is required as the germination process can take time. Follow these steps for successful propagation:
Propagation by cuttings is a faster way to clone a Japanese Zelkova tree while maintaining the exact characteristics of the parent plant. Softwood cuttings work best.
By using either of these propagation methods, you can successfully grow new Japanese Zelkova trees to enhance your garden or urban landscape.
Japanese Zelkova is generally resilient but can be affected by certain pests and diseases, especially in stressful urban environments.
Zelkova can be propagated through seeds or cuttings.
Zelkova should be pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Structural pruning in youth helps maintain its vase-shaped form, while mature trees benefit from periodic thinning to remove dead, weak, or crossing branches.
Japanese Zelkova has a mature spread of 50 to 80 feet (15-24 meters), forming a broad, rounded crown as it ages.
Japanese Zelkova is admired for its distinctive vase-shaped growth, beautiful exfoliating bark revealing orange-brown patches, and stunning fall colors in shades of yellow, orange, red, and purple. It is also highly resistant to Dutch elm disease, making it a favored elm substitute.
Yes, Zelkova is an excellent tree for urban and residential landscapes. It offers strong structure, high wind resistance, drought tolerance, and vibrant fall color. Its adaptability to various soil conditions and pollution tolerance make it a reliable choice for city streets and parks.
Japanese Zelkova is a long-lived tree, often reaching 60 years or more in ideal conditions.
Hardiness |
5 - 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
5 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21 |
Plant Type | Trees |
Plant Family | Ulmaceae |
Common names | Japanese Zelkova |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Fall |
Height | 50' - 80' (15.2m - 24.4m) |
Spread | 50' - 80' (15.2m - 24.4m) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy |
Tolerance | Drought |
Attracts | Birds |
Garden Styles | Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard |
Hardiness |
5 - 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
5 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21 |
Plant Type | Trees |
Plant Family | Ulmaceae |
Common names | Japanese Zelkova |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Fall |
Height | 50' - 80' (15.2m - 24.4m) |
Spread | 50' - 80' (15.2m - 24.4m) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy |
Tolerance | Drought |
Attracts | Birds |
Garden Styles | Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard |
How many Zelkova serrata (Japanese Zelkova) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Zelkova serrata (Japanese Zelkova) | N/A | Buy Plants |
Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!