# Japanese zelkova (Zelkova serrata)

> An elm relative with the classic vase shape of the American elm, smooth gray bark that flakes to orange with age, and serrated leaves that turn yellow, orange, russet or burgundy in fall. It resists Dutch elm disease and elm leaf beetle, tolerates heat, drought, wind and poor soil, and is planted as an elm substitute on streets in New York, Philadelphia and many western cities. 'Green Vase', 'Village Green', 'City Sprite' and the low 'Wireless' cover sites from wide boulevards to under power lines.

Source: https://treerm.org/trees/zelkova-serrata · Updated 2026-11-08 · License CC BY 4.0

## Facts

- Also called: Zelkova, Keyaki
- Family: Ulmaceae
- Type: Broadleaf, loses its leaves in winter
- Mature height: 20 m; spread 18 m
- Growth: Medium growth
- USDA hardiness zones: 5 to 8
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Moderate water
- Soil: Moist, well-drained clay, loam or sand, any pH; drought tolerant once established
- Native range: Native to Japan, Korea, eastern China and Taiwan.

**Benefits:** Shade, Fall color, Drought tolerant, Storm resistant, Fast canopy

**Good for:** Street tree, Yard shade, parks, Small yard

**Watch out for:** No major cautions

## Care

Plant in full sun in well-drained soil and water regularly for the first two years. Prune in the dormant season to remove narrow crotches with included bark, which can split in storms. Japanese beetles and leafrollers chew foliage; otherwise it is nearly disease-free, though cold snaps can kill twigs in zone 5.

## Where it stands

- **Native:** Japan (Native to Japan, Korea, eastern China and Taiwan.)
- **Adapted:** Canada (Planted in milder parts of southern Ontario and coastal British Columbia.); United States (Introduced; widely planted as a street tree in zones 5 to 8.)
- **Recommended:** Sydney, NSW, Australia (On the City of Sydney Street Tree Master Plan 2023 precinct planting palette); Sacramento, CA, United States (On the Sacramento Tree Foundation Shady 80 recommended trees list); San Jose, CA, United States (On the Our City Forest Community Nursery tree species list); Denver, CO, United States (On the Denver Office of the City Forester Approved Street Tree List); Boston, MA, United States (On the City of Boston Urban Forestry Division recommended public street trees list); New York, NY, United States (On the NYC Parks Street Tree Planting Approved Species List); Portland, OR, United States ('Green Vase' zelkova is on Portland's list for planting strips 8.5 ft and wider.)

## Sources

- https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/zelkova-serrata/
- https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/ZESE
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zelkova_serrata