Chinese zelkova is a large, fast growing deciduous tree in the Ulmaceae (elm) family native to stream banks in Asia. It prefers moist well-drained soils though can grow in a variety of soil types and pH. Plant in dappled shade to full sun in woodland, or riparian settings. It will need protection from cold winters when it is young but once it is established it is tolerant of cold and drought. The bark provides winter interest in the landscape and this can be a specimen tree or planted in a wide border. It can be difficult to find but is sometimes sold as a bonsai tree. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Trees can contract Dutch Elm Disease, but the beetle that is the vector of this disease rarely feeds on Zelkova so infestation is rare. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. In central North Carolina, this tree is showing stress in urban environments along streets and in parking lots. This stress includes center of crown dieback and cracks in the bark.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
24-60 feet
Mature size
Height: 50 ft. 0 in. - 98 ft. 0 in. | Width: 50 ft. 0 in. - 70 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
1 - Canopy (>40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Ascending; Multi-stemmed; Oval; Vase
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Ovate
Leaf margin
Crenate; Serrate
Leaf feel
Leathery
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Leathery dark green crooked elliptical oval-elongated with serrate to crenate margin. Top has rough hairs below gray hairs. Red fall color
Fall color
Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Long-lasting
Flower form
Insignificant
Flower detail
Monoecious, insignificant flowers appear just after leaf out.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Brown/Copper; Green
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit detail
Kidney bean shaped drupe starts off green turns to brown that resemble hackberry ripen September-November.
Bark color
Dark Brown; Dark Gray; Light Brown; Orange
Bark detail
Smooth, exfoliating bark flaking off in plates revealing light brown to orange below is attractive in the winter. The fibre from the bark is used for manufacturing ropes and paper.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Gray/Silver
Stem detail
Dark gray and bare.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Tibet
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Drupe
Uses (ethnobotany)
The fibre from the bark is used for manufacturing ropes and paper. The high quality timber is resistant to decay.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Riparian; Woodland
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Winter Garden
Design feature
Shade Tree; Specimen
Garden tags
#deciduous #stream banks #drought tolerant #interesting bark #deciduous tree #bonsai #specimen #winter interest #fall color red #fast growing #shade tree #riparian #large tree #urban conditions intolerant #perennial