Zelkova serrata | Japanese zelkova

Native to Japan, Taiwan and east China, the Zelkova serrata is a lovely specimen tree with a wide, spreading habit and rounded crown, admired for its show of autumn colour. The trunk is usually short and branched with several sturdy main branches. Grey bark is smooth with pink to brownish-orange lenticels. As the tree matures, the bark flakes revealing interesting orange patches. Leaves are also an attractive feature, they emerge green in spring, then turn a bronzy-red and orange-yellow in autumn. They are elongated ovoids with serrated edges and a tapered point. The Zelkova serrata will thrive in most well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade, and tolerates urban pollution, making this a good choice for street planting as well as an ideal feature tree in a park or large garden.