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Zelkova serrata 'Musashino'

Japanese zelkova 'Musashino'

A slender, columnar tree, reaching 10m tall in 20 years, with grey bark and toothed leaves that take on fiery autumn colour. Tolerant of a range of conditions it is widely planted as a street tree in Japan, and makes a fine specimen or avenue tree

Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Green
Autumn Orange Red
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Ulmaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus

Zelkova are large deciduous trees or shrubs with neatly serrate, ovate leaves and inconspicuous flowers and fruit; good autumn colour

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in deep, fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade with protection from cold, drying winds

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed in containers in a cold frame in autumn. Take greenwood cuttings (preferably from young plants) in summer. Graft in winter. Remove rooted suckers in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
Pruning

See pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to horse chestnut scale

Diseases

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

Get involved

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