4 named cultivars

tree

Japanese Zelkova

$129.95

The Story

Plant Bio

Zelkova serrata, the Japanese zelkova, is a large deciduous tree from China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and eastern Russia that reaches 50 to 80 ft tall and about as much across. Growth is vase-shaped and open, on a short trunk that divides into a spray of upright limbs. The sharply serrated leaves colour yellow, orange or deep red in autumn.

The smooth grey-white bark flakes in later life to show orange-brown patches beneath. It is closely related to the elms and shares their vase shape, but resists Dutch elm disease, which is why it replaced American elm on so many streets. Narrow branch forks on young trees are its structural weak point.

Uses & Benefits:

A clean vase-shaped outline, fine serrated foliage colouring yellow to deep red, and grey-white bark that flakes to orange-brown with age.

Tolerates urban soil, drought and wind once established, and offers elm-like street-tree form without elm-like disease losses.

Gives dense summer shade and canopy nesting habitat, and mature specimens support a wide range of urban birds and insects.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

780 inches

Width

780 inches

Light

Full Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Moderate while young; drought tolerant later

Humidity

Average

Lifespan

Long-lived; over 100 years

Native To

China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and eastern Russia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Garden Goods Direct

In Stock$129.95

Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in full sun with at least 50 ft of clear space overhead.
Set the root flare at the surface and firm the soil gently.
Water deeply through the first three summers.
Prune in late winter to select well-spaced scaffold limbs.
Remove any narrow forks with bark pinched into the union.
Mulch a wide ring, kept clear of the trunk itself.

Pro Tip

Thin the crowded upright limbs while they are thumb-thick; left alone they form tight included-bark forks that split in storms.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Give it a large open site with room for the vase to spread 🌳
Prune structurally in the first fifteen years ✂️
Water deeply but infrequently while young 💧
Mulch a wide ring to keep mowers off the trunk 🪵

Don't

Do not plant it in a small garden or close to a house ❌
Do not leave narrow V-shaped forks to develop ❌
Do not pile mulch against the bark ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Deep Watering
Structural Pruning

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Large street and avenue tree where elms once stoodParkland and lawn specimen for a spacious siteShade tree for playing fields and recreation grounds

Companion Plants

Japanese maple Hosta EpimediumChristmas fern Sedge

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Japanese Zelkova questions

What zones can Japanese Zelkova grow in?

Japanese Zelkova is hardy in USDA Zones 5–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Japanese Zelkova deer resistant?

Yes — Japanese Zelkova is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Japanese Zelkova bloom?

Japanese Zelkova typically blooms in spring, insignificant through mid-spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Japanese Zelkova need full sun?

Japanese Zelkova does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Japanese Zelkova drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Japanese Zelkova handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.