Zelkova serrata (Thunb.) Makino

Zelkova serrata (Japanese zelkova, Japanese elm^[2] or keyaki; Japanese: 欅 (ケヤキ) keyaki; Chinese: 榉树/櫸樹 jǔshù; Korean: 느티나무 neutinamu) is a species of flowering plant native to Japan, Korea, eastern China and Taiwan.^[3][4] It is often grown as an ornamental tree, and used in bonsai.

Description[edit]

Foliage and flowers in spring

Bark of mature Japanese zelkova

Zelkova serrata is a medium-sized deciduous tree usually growing to 30 m (98 ft) tall. It is characterized by a short trunk dividing into many upright and erect spreading stems forming a broad, round-topped head. The tree grows rapidly when young though the growth rate slows to medium upon middle age and maturity.^[5]

It has alternately arranged leaves growing to 5 cm long and broad. The leaves themselves are simple and ovate^{[clarification needed]} to oblong-ovate with serrated or crenate margins, to which the tree owes its specific epithet serrata. The leaves are acuminate^{[clarification needed]} or apiculate,^{[clarification needed]} rounded or subcordate^{[clarification needed]} at the base, and contain 8-14 pairs of veins. The leaves are rough on top and glabrous^{[clarification needed]} or nearly glabrous on the underside. They are green to dark green in spring and throughout the summer, changing to yellows, oranges and reds in autumn. The petioles^{[clarification needed]} are 2–5 mm (¹⁄₁₆–³⁄₁₆ in) long.^[6]

Z. serrata develops monoecious flowers in spring with the leaves. Buds are ovoid, acutish, with many imbricate,^{[clarification needed]} dark brown scales.^[5] They diverge at a 45 degree angle from the stem. The staminate^{[clarification needed]} flowers are shortly pedicellate^{[clarification needed]} and approximately 3mm in diameter, clustered in the axils^{[clarification needed]} of the lower leaves. The pistillate^{[clarification needed]} flowers are solitary or few in axils of the upper leaves, sessile^{[clarification needed]} and usually about 1.5 mm in diameter. The flowers are yellow-green, not showy, and occur in tight groups along new stems. They give rise to small, ovate, wingless drupes^{[clarification needed]} that ripen in late summer to autumn. The drupe is green maturing to brown, subsessile and 2.5 to 3.5 mm (³⁄₃₂ to ¹⁄₈ in) in diameter.

To identify Zelkova serrata, one would look for a short main trunk, low branching and a vase-shaped habit. The twigs are slender with small, dark conical buds in a zigzag pattern. The branches are usually glabrous. The bark is grayish white to grayish brown and either smooth with lenticels^{[clarification needed]} or exfoliating in patches to reveal orange inner bark. The branchlets are brownish-purple to brown.

Environmental needs[edit]

This tree requires full to partial sun and prefers moist, well drained soils. A fertilizer rich in potassium and nitrogen encourages new vegetation and floral buds. It is adaptable and tolerant of heat, little water, nutrient poor soils and various pH. It should be periodically thinned to allow light into the inner canopy. Zelkova serrata is propagated by seeds, rooted stem cuttings and grafting. The seeds germinate without pretreatment, though the percentage is better when stratified at 5 °C (41 °F) for 60 days.^[5] Because germination requires stratification, the seed is best sown early in the year. To ensure survival it may be necessary to pot the tree and grow it in a greenhouse for its first winter. It may be reintroduced into its permanent habitat after the final frost.

Threats[edit]

The threats to this tree include colder temperature, which often result in twig dieback. It is highly resistant to Dutch elm disease, which makes it a good replacement tree for American elm. Zelkova serrata is similar in appearance to the elms, though may be distinguished by its unwinged fruit and leaves which are symmetrical rather than uneven at their base.^[7]Zelkova serrata also shows good resistance to elm leaf beetle and Japanese beetle.

Variants[edit]

There are two varieties, Zelkova serrata var. serrata in Japan and mainland eastern Asia, and Zelkova serrata var. tarokoensis (Hayata) Li on Taiwan; the latter differs from the type in its smaller leaves with less deeply cut serration on the margins.^[4]

Cultivation and uses[edit]

Zelkova serrata bonsai from the United States National Arboretum

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.^[3][4] 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.^[4] Recently, it has been planted as a "street tree" in New York City.^[8] It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.^[9]

Numerous cultivars have been selected, including

• 'Fuiri Keaki' (variegated leaves)
• 'Goblin' (dwarf)
• 'Goshiki' (variegated leaves)
• 'Green Vase' (tall, narrow crown^[10])
• 'Green Veil' (pendulous branchlets)
• 'Iruma Sango' (fastigiate)
• 'Nire Keaki' (semi-dwarf)
• 'Pulverulenta' (variegated leaves)
• 'Spring Grove' (upright crown)
• 'Variegata' (variegated leaves)
• 'Village Green' (grows more rapidly than ordinary seedlings and develops a straight smooth trunk. Hardier than trees of Japanese origin photos)
• 'Variegata' (weak growing, small leaved form with a narrow white rim around the margin of the leaf),
• 'Parkview' (selection with good vase-shape, size similar to species)
• 'Urban Ruby' (red autumn colour)
• 'Musashino' (Tightly columnar in form, fast growing)

It has also hybridised with Zelkova carpinifolia in Europe, the hybrid being named Zelkova × verschaffeltii.^[4]

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.

The tree is a symbol of a number of Japanese cities and prefectures: Saitama Prefecture, Miyagi Prefecture, Fukushima Prefecture, Fukushima-shi, Abiko-shi, Tachikawa-shi, Yokohama-shi, Machida City in Tokyo Metropolis District and more.

According to statistics data investigated by Korea Forest Service in 1989, the most numbers of old trees over 500 years were Zelkova serrata, while more than 10 old trees have been registered as Natural monuments of Korea.^[11]

Suppliers[edit]

Within the United Kingdom, the Royal Horticultural Society's Plantfinder currently lists 38 suppliers for the pure species and associated varieties.^[12]

Gallery[edit]

• 

  Autumn colour, November, Saitama Prefecture, Japan.

• 

  Trees lining an avenue in Sendai, Japan

• 

  Morton Arboretum
  acc. 10-54-1

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  A Japanese Sendai-dansu for kimono made from keyaki wood

• 

  Sasayama, Hyogo in the winter

References[edit]