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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Ulmus japonica is a deciduous Tree growing to 35 m (114ft 10in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from March to May, and the seeds ripen from April to May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind.
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

U. propinqua. Koidz.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Inner bark Leaves
Edible Uses:

Leaves - raw or cooked[105, 177]. Young fruits - cooked[105, 177]. The fruit is about 15mm long and 10mm wide[200]. Inner bark - cooked. It is usually dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickening in soups or added to cereal flours when making bread etc[105, 177].

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.
Diuretic Nervine Purgative

The bark is diuretic, nervine and purgative[218].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Fibre Wood

A fibre is obtained from the inner bark[189]. The bark is soaked for 7 - 10 days in water, the inner and outer barks are then separated and the inner bark is stripped into strands and made into thread by chewing it. It is made into a coarse fabric[189]. Wood - heavy, difficult to work. Used for axles, hubs etc[46, 61].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a fertile soil in full sun[188], but is easily grown in any soil of at least moderate quality so long as it is well drained[1]. This species is resistant to 'Dutch elm disease', a disease that has destroyed the greater part of all the elm trees growing in Britain. The disease is spread by means of beetles. There is no effective cure (1992) for the problem, but most E. Asian, though not Himalayan, species are resistant (though not immune) to the disease so the potential exists to use these resistant species to develop new resistant hybrids with the native species[200]. The various species of this genus hybridize freely with each other and pollen is easily saved, so even those species with different flowering times can be hybridized[200]. Closely related to U. davidiana[200], and considered to be no more than a subspecies of that species by some botanists[266].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - if sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe, it usually germinates within a few days[200]. Stored seed does not germinate so well and should be sown in early spring[200]. The seed can also be harvested 'green' (when it has fully developed but before it dries on the tree) and sown immediately in a cold frame. It should germinate very quickly and will produce a larger plant by the end of the growing season[80]. 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. Plants should not be allowed to grow for more than two years in a nursery bed since they form a tap root and will then move badly. Layering of suckers or coppiced shoots[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Ulmus alata	Winged Elm	Tree	15.0	6-9	F	LMH	SN	M	2	0	2
Ulmus americana	American Elm, Gray Elm, Water Elm	Tree	25.0	3-9	M	LMH	SN	M	2	2	3
Ulmus davidiana	Japanese Elm	Tree	15.0	4-8		LMH	SN	M	2	0	1
Ulmus glabra	Wych Elm, Table-top Scotch Elm, Scotch Elm	Tree	30.0	5-7	F	LMH	SN	M	3	2	2
Ulmus laciniata		Tree	10.0	4-8		LMH	SN	M	2	0
Ulmus macrocarpa		Tree	10.0	4-8		LMH	SN	DM	2	1	1
Ulmus parvifolia	Chinese Elm, Lacebark Elm	Tree	18.0	5-10	M	LMH	SN	M	2	1	2
Ulmus procera	English Elm	Tree	35.0	5-9	F	LMH	SN	M	3	2	3
Ulmus pumila	Siberian Elm, Hybrid elm	Tree	15.0	4-9	F	LMH	SN	DM	2	2	3
Ulmus rubra	Slippery Elm	Tree	20.0	3-7	M	LMH	SN	M	2	5	3
Ulmus thomasii	Rock Elm	Tree	30.0	-	S	LMH	SN	M	1	0	2
Ulmus villosa	Cherry Bark Elm	Tree	25.0	4-8		LMH	SN	M	1	0	2
Ulmus wallichiana		Tree	35.0	5-9		LMH	SN	M	1	1	3

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.

Ulmus japonica - (Sarg. ex Rehder.)Sarg.