Zelkova serrata, sawleaf zelkova
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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Zelkova serrata

sawleaf zelkova

UlmaceaeJapan, Korea, Taiwan

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height50-80 feet (15-24 m)
Width40-60 feet (12-18 m)
Maturity25 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 8
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Deer Resistant
Drought Tolerant
Maintenancelow

Overview

Zelkova serrata is a large deciduous tree reaching 50-80 feet (15-24 m) tall with a spread of 40-60 feet (12-18 m), developing a broad, vase-shaped crown that closely resembles American elm (Ulmus americana) — the primary reason for its widespread adoption as an elm substitute. Multiple ascending branches radiate from a short trunk, creating the classic vase silhouette. Bark is smooth, gray, with conspicuous orange-brown lenticels when young; on mature trunks, bark exfoliates in irregular patches to reveal orange-brown inner bark — an attractive four-season feature. Leaves are alternate, simple, ovate-lanceolate, 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) long, with sharply serrate margins (the 'serrata' in the name), dark green, slightly rough-textured above. Fall color is variable but can be outstanding: yellow, orange, rust-red to deep reddish-brown, often with multiple colors on a single tree. Flowers are inconspicuous, greenish, in spring. Fruit is a small, rounded drupe, inconspicuous. Growth rate is moderate at 12-18 inches (30-46 cm) per year. In the Ulmaceae (elm family), closely related to Ulmus but resistant to Dutch elm disease, elm leaf beetle, and Japanese beetle — the key advantages over true elms. Long-lived at 150-200+ years. Tolerant of urban conditions (compacted soil, air pollution, heat). The cultivar 'Green Vase' is the most widely planted selection.

Native Range

Native to Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. Introduced to Western cultivation in the 1860s. Widely adopted as an elm substitute in the second half of the 20th century as Dutch elm disease decimated Ulmus populations.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a large shade tree, street tree, or park tree where the vase-shaped form, exfoliating bark, and elm-like stature can be appreciated, spaced 35-50 feet (10.7-15 m) apart. The primary elm substitute — use where American elm would have been planted historically. Excellent street tree; widely used in municipal plantings. 'Green Vase' is the standard cultivar (vigorous, upright vase form, reliable orange-red fall color). 'Village Green' is more spreading with rusty-red fall color. 'Musashino' is narrowly columnar for tight spaces.

How to Identify

Identified by vase-shaped crown resembling American elm, smooth gray bark with orange-brown exfoliation on mature trunks, ovate-lanceolate leaves with sharply serrate margins, and multiple ascending branches from a short trunk. Distinguished from Ulmus (elm) by smooth (not furrowed) bark that exfoliates to reveal orange-brown, and by symmetrical (not asymmetrical) leaf bases — elm leaves have unequal bases. Distinguished from Celtis (hackberry) by serrate (not entire to partially serrate) leaf margins and exfoliating bark.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height50' - 80'
Width/Spread40' - 60'

Reaches mature size in approximately 25 years

Colors

Flower Colors

green

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow
orange
red

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~1 weeks
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Spring
Inconspicuous greenish flowers in spring (April) are not ornamentally significant. The primary seasonal displays are the attractive exfoliating bark (year-round), the dark green summer canopy, and the variable but often outstanding fall color.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Greenish, inconspicuous

Foliage Description

Dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysilt
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

10-15 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water regularly during the first two growing seasons. Established trees are moderately drought-tolerant. Plant in full sun for the best form and fall color. Tolerates a wide range of soils, including alkaline conditions and moderate compaction. Tolerates urban conditions well — air pollution, reflected heat, restricted root zones. Essentially pest- and disease-free; resistant to Dutch elm disease, elm leaf beetle, and Japanese beetle. May develop bark cracks in extremely cold winters (below -20°F/-29°C) — not typically a concern in the Pacific Northwest.

Pruning

Prune in late winter (January through February). Establish a strong central leader or manage the natural multi-leader vase form in youth — important structural decision. The vase shape develops best with 3-5 main ascending leaders. Remove narrow V-crotch angles, which are the most common structural weakness. Remove crossing, rubbing, and dead branches. Thin interior for air circulation. Once the basic framework is established, zelkova requires less corrective pruning than most large shade trees.

Pruning Schedule

J
F
M
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M
J
J
A
S
O
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winter

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic