Japanese Zelkova Shade Tree

Good Replacement for American Elm

(5 customer reviews)

Graceful vase-shaped shade tree has elliptical dark green foliage. Displays showy fall mix of yellow, rust, bronze, dark red and purple. Attractive steel gray bark exfoliates to expose orange shading beneath. Good street tree; tolerates urban conditions. Popular as a superior replacement for the American Elm. Grows rapidly to 50-75 ft. with 40-50 ft. spread.

Bareroot. Zones: 5-8.

Product Details

Zones: 5-8
Height: 50-70'
Spread: 40-50'
Sun/Shade: Full Sun to partial shade
Foliage: Elliptical shaped with toothed margins, 1 1/2- 3" long, dark green color in spring, showy fall color is a mix of yellow, rust, bronze, dark red and purple.

Fruit: Glossy dark red 1/2" fruit are persistent
Comments: Gaining popularity as a replacement for the American Elm, since it is a good street tree and tolerates urban conditions well. Graceful and stately vase-shaped growth habit, rapid growth and establishment and showy fall colors.
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Unable to ship to: AE AK GU HI PR

Customer Reviews

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- Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Better than anticipated
Reviewed By: Susan (Land of Elvis, TN)
Be sure to read the directions. I read them after I put in two of the five I purchased. Then I soaked the other three as instructed. I only lost one and they're growing like gangbusters. The weather here in Memphis is pretty gnarly in the summer, so deep watering helped them get settled in. This year (year 2), the 4 surviving specimens really took off. We've had a cooler than usual summer and wetter than usual so that helped I think. I loved the American Elm and was glad to find the Zelkova's here (they're hard to find in local nurseries). The only gripe I have is that these are unlabeled cultivars; even the gardeners at Gurney's didn't know what they were. I would order bare root trees again AND I will follow the instructions the first time. ;D

- Friday, June 19, 2009
You actually get what they say...
Reviewed By: KC (jackson, ca)
This tree IS actually a 3-4' bareroot. Out of all the items I ordered, this was the best. Soaked the roots and planted it, has sprouted wonderfully and I am pleased with this offering. Can't wait to see what it matures to.

- Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Fast Grower
Reviewed By: Ric (Chelsea, MA)
Got my tree about three weeks ago and already there are new branches growing out of it. I've read that it can grow as much as 2 feet a year. If that's the case this will be a beautiful tree in just 5 years. I'll post an update if anything changes, but right now I'm impressed.

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