We have recently published ‘Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions’: i.e. tropical and sub-tropical regions. We rely on regular donations to keep our free database going and help fund development of this and another book we are planning on food forest plants for Mediterranean climates. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

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

 

Translate this page:

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

Woodland Garden Canopy;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
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

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Tropical Plants

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

More
Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Temperate Plants

Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

More
PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital media.
More Books

PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.

Shop Now

Other Uses

Wood

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

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

Shop Now

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 schneiderianaChinese ZelkovaTree30.0 6-9 FLMHSNM002

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

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Zelkova serrata  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.