Japanese zelkova
(Zelkova serrata)
This species is Introduced in the United States
ORIGIN: Asia
GROWTH TRAITS: Deciduous tree typically growing 50-80' (15-24 m) tall from a deep root system. Trees have short trunks that divide into numerous erect branches to form a vase-shaped crown. The bark is grayish-brown and porous. At maturity, patches of bark begin to peel, revealing orangish bark beneath. Leaves have distinct veins and toothed margins and are ovate, symmetrical, and alternately attached to the branch with petioles 0.08-0.2" (2-5 mm) long. Most leaves are up to 2" (5 cm) long, though some may be up to 4" (10 cm). Leaves are pale to dark green throughout summer and turn yellow, orange, or red in autumn. Buds diverge from branches at 45° angles, resulting in a zig-zag appearance. Flowers are yellow-green, non-showy, less than 0.12" (3 mm) in diameter, and appear in tight clusters along new stems in spring before new leaves emerge. Fruits are triangular to oval-shaped, 0.12" (3 mm) across, berry-like, and green, turning brown at maturity. Individuals can live for hundreds of years under some conditions.
REPRODUCTION: Spreads by seed. Seeds may remain viable for up to four years.
HABITAT: Tolerates most soil types, though it does best in moist, deep, loamy soil in full to partial sun. It is typically found along forest edges and roadsides and in moist ravines, riparian areas, abandoned lands, and urban gardens. Established trees are fairly drought-tolerant unless growing in sandy soils.
LOOK-ALIKES: The alternate, deeply toothed and veined leaves, divergent buds, and non-showy flowers help differentiate this tree from many unrelated look-alikes. Within the family, several native and exotic elms (Ulmus spp.) resemble Japanese zelkova with their similar leaves, flowers, bark, and growth form. Elms can be differentiated by having asymmetrical leaf bases and winged fruits.
CITATIONS:
Rawlins, K.A., R.L. Winston, C.T. Bargeron, D.J. Moorhead, and R. Carroll. 2018. New Invaders of the Northeast and Northcentral United States. USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Assessment and Applied Sciences Team, Morgantown, West Virginia. FHTET-2017-04. Retrieved from https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/pdf/FHTET-2017-04_New%20Invaders_NE.pdf
GROWTH TRAITS: Deciduous tree typically growing 50-80' (15-24 m) tall from a deep root system. Trees have short trunks that divide into numerous erect branches to form a vase-shaped crown. The bark is grayish-brown and porous. At maturity, patches of bark begin to peel, revealing orangish bark beneath. Leaves have distinct veins and toothed margins and are ovate, symmetrical, and alternately attached to the branch with petioles 0.08-0.2" (2-5 mm) long. Most leaves are up to 2" (5 cm) long, though some may be up to 4" (10 cm). Leaves are pale to dark green throughout summer and turn yellow, orange, or red in autumn. Buds diverge from branches at 45° angles, resulting in a zig-zag appearance. Flowers are yellow-green, non-showy, less than 0.12" (3 mm) in diameter, and appear in tight clusters along new stems in spring before new leaves emerge. Fruits are triangular to oval-shaped, 0.12" (3 mm) across, berry-like, and green, turning brown at maturity. Individuals can live for hundreds of years under some conditions.
REPRODUCTION: Spreads by seed. Seeds may remain viable for up to four years.
HABITAT: Tolerates most soil types, though it does best in moist, deep, loamy soil in full to partial sun. It is typically found along forest edges and roadsides and in moist ravines, riparian areas, abandoned lands, and urban gardens. Established trees are fairly drought-tolerant unless growing in sandy soils.
LOOK-ALIKES: The alternate, deeply toothed and veined leaves, divergent buds, and non-showy flowers help differentiate this tree from many unrelated look-alikes. Within the family, several native and exotic elms (Ulmus spp.) resemble Japanese zelkova with their similar leaves, flowers, bark, and growth form. Elms can be differentiated by having asymmetrical leaf bases and winged fruits.
CITATIONS:
Rawlins, K.A., R.L. Winston, C.T. Bargeron, D.J. Moorhead, and R. Carroll. 2018. New Invaders of the Northeast and Northcentral United States. USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Assessment and Applied Sciences Team, Morgantown, West Virginia. FHTET-2017-04. Retrieved from https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/pdf/FHTET-2017-04_New%20Invaders_NE.pdf
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
- Kentucky Exotic Pest Plant Council - Watch List
- National Park Service, Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team Invasive Plant List
- New Invaders of the Northeast and Northcentral
- New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team 2017 Invasive Species List
- Non-Native Invasive Plants of the City of Alexandria, Virginia
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Rosanae |
| Order: Rosales |
| Family: Ulmaceae |
| Genus: Zelkova |
| Zelkova serrata |
References
Common Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.