Zelkova serrata

RHS Plant Profile

Japanese zelkova

RHS 2002

Other common names

keaki, keyaki, saw-leaf zelkova

Synonyms

Zelkova keaki
Planera acuminata
Zelkova acuminata

Trees

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A spreading, medium-sized deciduous tree with smooth grey bark and neatly toothed, lance-shaped leaves turning orange and yellow in autumn. Insignificant greenish flowers and fruits

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: wider than 8 metres
Max Height: Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Ulmaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Spreading branched
Genus: Zelkova are large deciduous trees or shrubs with neatly serrate, ovate leaves and inconspicuous flowers and fruit; good autumn colour
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: E Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in deep, fertile, moist soil and protect from cold drying winds

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings from young plants in summer, grafting in winter. Propagate from seed (tree/shrub) sown outdoors in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Low Maintenance

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to Dutch elm disease and honey fungus (rarely)