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Zelkova serrata
Also called Japanese-elm, Keyaki, Saw-leaf zelkova, Water-elm, Keaki, Sawleaf Zelkova, Grey Bark Elm
Japanese zelkova is a medium-sized deciduous tree, usually reaching about 30 m, with a broad, round-topped head and attractive grey bark. It is grown mainly as an outdoor ornamental, shade or street tree, and in bonsai, and it needs room to grow.
Zelkova serrata (Japanese zelkova, Japanese elm, keyaki, or keaki; Japanese: 欅, romanized: keyaki or 槻, tsuki; simplified Chinese: 榉树; traditional Chinese: 櫸樹; pinyin: jǔshù; Korean: 느티나무; RR: neutinamu) is a species of the genus Zelkova native to Japan, Korea, eastern China and Taiwan. It is often grown as an ornamental tree, and used in bonsai. There are two varieties, Zelkova serrata var. serrata in Japan and mainland eastern Asia, and Zelkova serrata var. tarokoensis (Hayata) Li on Taiwan which differs from the type in its smaller leaves with less deeply cut serration on the margins.
Zelkova serrata is planted as a lawn or park tree for its attractive bark, leaf color and vase shape. It provides good shade and has an easy fall cleanup. It is easy to transport, and often available in burlap form. It is also commonly used for bonsai; its attractive shape and colors make it a popular choice for the art. It is often grown as an ornamental tree, both in its native area and in Europe and North America. The first cultivation outside of Asia was by Philipp Franz von Siebold, who introduced it to the Netherlands in 1830. Recently, it has been planted as a "street tree" in New York City and Philadelphia. In the UK it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Within the United Kingdom, the Royal Horticultural Society's Plantfinder currently lists 38 suppliers for the pure species and associated varieties.
Keyaki wood is valued in Japan and used often for furniture, such as tansu, as well as being considered the ideal wood for the creation of taiko drums.
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Zelkova serrata by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
