Zelkova serrata Japanese zelkova

 The habit of this species, typically vase-shaped, with branches diverging at 45° angles to the central axis, is similar to that of the American elm (Ulmus americana), but without dignity and grace. Dark green, strongly serrated, 2-to-5-in.-long leaves give way to yellow, golden bronze, and reddish purple fall colors. The brown bark on young trees has a polished, almost cherry-like quality, becoming gray and exfoliating with age, somewhat like that of Chinese elm (U. parvifolia). Adaptable to varied soils and climates. Displays reasonable tolerance to high heat and drought. Resistant to Dutch elm disease and the elm leaf beetle. Makes a fine street and park tree and is now a major player in the shade-tree market from Chicago to Atlanta to the West Coast, a success that in large part relates to the introduction of superior forms. Seedling zelkovas usually grow like a rabbit’s hind legs—crooked and uneven; they are respectable trees, however, if properly pruned. Grows 50 to 80 ft. high, similar spread.

CULTIVARS AND VARIETIES

City Sprite is a compact oval- to vase-shaped outline; 24 ft. by 18 ft. J. Frank Schmidt & Son introduction. A diminutive form for underwire planting. ‘Goshiki’ has irregularly cream-marked, -speckled, and -splashed leaves. A collector’s plant. Green Vase® is a superior cultivar with upright-arching branches, resulting in a more graceful tree than Village Green™. Excellent dark green foliage turns orange-brown to bronzy red in fall. Faster growing than Village Green™. Grows 60 to 70 ft. high, 40 to 50 ft. wide. ‘Musashino’ is upright, narrow columnar- vase-shaped; medium green leaves turn yellow in fall. Early leafing, the first zelkova to leaf at Milliken Arboretum, usually by mid to late March. Estimate 45 ft. by 15 ft. Good choice for tight planting areas. ‘Ogon’ (‘Aurea’, ‘Bright Park’) sports yellow leaves in spring, eventually green, and amber-gold-brown winter stems and trunk; attractive accent. Slow-growing in Georgia trials. Village Green™, one of the first-named selections, is still justifiably popular. The crown is more dense and stiff than that of Green Vase®. The old trees that I observed were equal in height and width. The leathery, dark green foliage may develop a wine-red fall color. At maturity, probably smaller than Green Vase