Zelkova serrata 'Musashino'
Japanese zelkova 'Musashino'
A slender, columnar tree, reaching 10m tall in 20 years, with grey bark and toothed leaves that take on fiery autumn colour. Tolerant of a range of conditions it is widely planted as a street tree in Japan, and makes a fine specimen or avenue tree
Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Green | |||
Autumn | Orange Red | |||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Ulmaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Genus
Zelkova are large deciduous trees or shrubs with neatly serrate, ovate leaves and inconspicuous flowers and fruit; good autumn colour
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in deep, fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade with protection from cold, drying winds
Propagation
Propagate by sowing seed in containers in a cold frame in autumn. Take greenwood cuttings (preferably from young plants) in summer. Graft in winter. Remove rooted suckers in winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
Pruning
See pruning group 1
Pests
May be susceptible to horse chestnut scale
Diseases
May be susceptible to bacterial canker, Dutch elm disease and honey fungus (rarely)
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.