View source for Japanese Zelkova

{{SPlantbox
|familia=Ulmaceae
|genus=Zelkova
|species=serrata
|common_name=Japanese Zelkova, Keaki
|habit=tree
|Min ht box=15
|Min ht metric=m
|Max ht box=35
|Max ht metric=m
|origin=E China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan
|lifespan=perennial
|exposure=sun
|features=deciduous
|Temp Metric=°F
|min_zone=5
|max_zone=9
|image=Zelkova serrata Noma keyaki01.jpg
|image_width=240
|image_caption=1000-year-old Zelkova serrata
}}
{{Inc|
Zelkova serrata, Makino (Z. acuminata, Planch. Z. hirta, Schneid. Z. Keaki, Mayr. Z. cuspidata, Hort. Planera acuminata, Lindl. Planera japonica, Miq. Planera Keakii, C. Koch. Ulmus Keakii, Sieb.). Fig. 4042. Tree, attaining 100 ft., with broad, round-topped head: branches slender: lvs. short-stalked, ovate to oblong-ovate, acuminate, rounded or slightly cordate at the base, sharply and coarsely serrate, with acuminate teeth, pairs of veins about 10, somewhat rough above, almost glabrous, 1 – 2 1/2 in. long on fertile branches, 2-5 on sterile branches. April, May. Japan. G.F. 6:325. Gt. 37, pp. 22, 23. S.I.F. 1:36. G.W. 16, p. 216.
}}

This species is cultivated widely. Crown spreads wide. Bark grey to grey-brown or pinkish-grey, scaly. Leaves have fine hairs, heavy teeth and veins underneath, turning deep yellow and a medium chocolate brown in the fall.

:''More information about this species can be found on the [[Zelkova|genus page]].''

==Cultivation==
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in almost any good soil, acid or alkaline, preferring a deep well-drained moist loam{{pfaf11}}{{pfaf200}}. Prefers a moderately sheltered position{{pfaf11}}. Relatively shade tolerant{{pfaf200}}. A fast growing tree{{pfaf200}}. Dormant plants are very cold-tolerant, but they are sometimes damaged by late spring frosts when they are young{{pfaf11}}. Plants are susceptible to Dutch Elm Disease, but the beetle that is the vector of this disease rarely feeds on Zelkova so infestation is rare{{pfaf11}}{{pfaf200}}. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus{{pfaf200}}.

===Propagation===
Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stored seed requires stratification and should be sown as early in the year as possible{{pfaf78}}{{pfaf200}}. Germination rates are variable{{pfaf78}}. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

===Pests and diseases===
{{edit-pests}}<!--- Type pest/disease info below this line, then delete this entire line -->

==Cultivars==
*''''Goblin'''' - a high dwarf reaching 1 m 
*''''Green Vase'''' - leaves are extremely bright green, takes the shape of a vase 
*''''Village Green'''' - grows fast, with rich green leaves.

==Gallery==
{{photo-sources}}<!-- remove this line if there are already 3 or more photos in the gallery  -->

<gallery>
Image:Zelkova serrata5.jpg
File:Japanese Zelkova, 1895-2007.jpg
File:Zelkova serrata japan-2006.jpg
File:Aoba-dori Ave 2.JPG
File:Zelkova serrata entire.jpg
</gallery>

==References==
*http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Zelkova+serrata
*Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381
<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->
<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->

==External links==
*{{wplink}}

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