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Trees

Zelkova carpinifolia 'James Gordon'

A very large, hardy, deciduous tree with upright, fastigiate branches which, in favourable conditions, may reach heights of up to 40m. The smooth, pale grey bark and elm-shaped green leaves which turn to autumn colours of gold and russet-red provide year-round interest. Both drought and heat-tolerant, this is one to keep an eye on for the future as our climate changes

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Ultimate height

Higher than 12 metres

Time to ultimate height

20–50 years

Ultimate spread

Wider than 8 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Drought resistance

Yes

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)

Botanical details

Family: Ulmaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: 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

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Low Maintenance

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)

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