Zelkova is a resilient plant that thrives in well-draining soil and requires consistent watering, especially during dry periods. One special care point is its preference for full sun to partial shade exposure to maximize growth. Additionally, zelkova benefits from regular pruning to maintain its shape and health.
Watering schedule: Every 1-2 weeks
Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
Care Difficulty | Easy |
Lifespan | Perennial |
Watering Schedule | Every 1-2 weeks |
Sunlight Requirements | Full sun |
Soil Type | Garden Soil |
Soil pH | 6-7.5 |
Hardiness Zones |
7-9
|
This dense shade tree is particularly useful for planting near streets and in parking lots and lawns. It is also popularly used as a bonsai tree. Japanese zelkova is resistant to Dutch elm disease and has therefore been increasingly used in place of American elms.
The crown is a highly distinctive vase-shape, with a short broad trunk dividing low down into numerous nearly erect branches. The leaves are alternate, 4 to 10 cm long and 2.5 to 6 cm broad, the margin bluntly serrated with 7–12 teeth on each side. The flowers are inconspicuous and greenish, with no petals, and are wind-pollinated. The fruit is a small nutlet 4.5 to 6 mm in diameter.
Chinese zelkova is a deciduous tree noted for its elegant, vase-shaped growth habit and resistance to harsh urban environments. Its oblong, serrated leaves transition from a vibrant green to a fiery orange-red in fall, offering stunning seasonal interest. The peeling bark reveals a multi-tonal, mottled pattern that provides year-round visual allure. A hardy species, chinese zelkova thrives in a variety of soil conditions and is often used as an ornamental street tree.
Common issues for Zelkova based on 10 million real cases