Japanese Zelkova is a deciduous tree, growing 50 to 80 feet tall with a fast to moderate growth rate. Native to Japan, Taiwan and Eastern China, it is noted for its fall colors and graceful shape with spreading, upward-branching, vase-shaped crown that becomes more rounded with age. Leaves are alternate, simple, ovate with an acuminate tip, to 3 inches long, pinnately veined, serrate with rounded over teeth turning various shades of brilliant yellows, oranges and reds in the fall. Small yellow-green flowers are inconspicuous and are produced in early spring, followed by small, non-showy, ovate, wingless drupes. The bark of Zelvova is smooth red-brown to gray and exfoliates with age to show its orange-brown inner bark. Zelkova is massive, with the trunk capable of growing to four feet or more in diameter. It is used as a commercial timber tree in Japan. It is resistance to Dutch elm disease and is often listed as a replacement for American Elm.
