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Zelkova_serrata - (Thunb.)Makino.

Common Name Japanese Zelkova, Saw Leaf Zelkova
Family Ulmaceae
USDA hardiness 5-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Lowlands and mountains of C. and S. Japan[58]. Valleys, beside streams at elevations of 500 - 2000 metres in China[266].
Range E. Asia - E. China, Japan.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Zelkova_serrata Japanese Zelkova,  Saw Leaf Zelkova


Zelkova_serrata Japanese Zelkova,  Saw Leaf Zelkova

 

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Summary

Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Vase.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Zelkova_serrata is a deciduous Tree growing to 25 m (82ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen from September to November. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Z. acuminata. Z. formosa. Z. hirta. Z. keaki. Abelicea hirta. Corchorus hirtus. non L. C. serr

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Young leaves - cooked[105, 171].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Wood - tough, hard, beautifully grained. Used for tool handles, construction, furniture etc[46, 61, 151].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Pest tolerant, Aggressive surface roots possible, Specimen, Street tree. An easily grown plant, it succeeds in almost any good soil, acid or alkaline, preferring a deep well-drained moist loam[11, 200]. Prefers a moderately sheltered position[11]. Relatively shade tolerant[200]. A fast growing tree[200]. Dormant plants are very cold-tolerant, but they are sometimes damaged by late spring frosts when they are young[11]. Plants are susceptible to Dutch Elm Disease, but the beetle that is the vector of this disease rarely feeds on Zelkova so infestation is rare[11, 200]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Special Features:Not North American native, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stored seed requires stratification and should be sown as early in the year as possible[78, 200]. Germination rates are variable[78]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Anhui Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng, Fujian Sheng, Henan Sheng (south), Hunan Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Gansu Sheng (south), Jiangxi Sheng, Jiangsu Sheng, Guangdong Sheng, Guizhou Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng (south), Sichuan Sheng (southeast), Yunnan Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Xizang Zizhiqu (southeast)) Russian Federation (Kurile Islands), China (Anhui Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng, Fujian Sheng, Henan Sheng, Hunan Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Gansu Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Jiangsu Sheng, Guangdong Sheng (north), Guizhou Sheng, Liaoning Sheng, Shandong Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng), Korea, Japan, Taiwan

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Zelkova serrataJapanese Zelkova, Saw Leaf ZelkovaTree25.0 5-8 FLMHSNM103

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Thunb.)Makino.

Botanical References

11200266

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Robert Foote   Sun Feb 4 2007

I am interested in planting a Japanese Zelkova tree. I live in Whittier CA the coldest temperture is low of about 20 degrees and high of about 100 degrees. Can you tell me about shedding of leaves, nuts, flowers, etc..

anil ghanwat   Thu Oct 1 2009

what are the medicinal and traditional uses? what are the phytochemical ingrediants? Can I get this information

vijay kumar   Sun Jan 24 2010

i want to know the use of zelkova serrata seeds & cost and the place in india where it found

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