Zelkova serrata SEEDS

Zelkova serrata seeds grow into the Japanese zelkova or keaki one of the most beautiful and ecologically important deciduous trees of the temperate biome of East Asia, native from China (north-central, south-central and south-eastern China, including Manchuria) east through Korea, Japan and Taiwan to the southern Kuril Islands. The epithet serrata means ‘serrated’, referring to the sharply toothed leaf margins. Known in Japan as keyaki (), it is one of the most revered timber and ornamental trees in Japanese culture the preferred wood for traditional Japanese temple construction, fine furniture (tansu) and architectural carpentry for over a millennium. The elegant, naturally vase-shaped crown, smooth grey bark that exfoliates in thin flakes revealing orange-brown inner bark, and brilliant autumn foliage in shades of yellow, orange and deep red-purple make it one of the finest four-season ornamental trees available. Widely planted as a street tree across East Asia and increasingly across Europe and North America, partly as a substitute for American elms devastated by Dutch elm disease. Family Ulmaceae.

Full sun; adaptable to a wide range of soils; cold-hardy; excellent urban tolerance and pollution resistance. One of the finest large deciduous trees for parks, streets and large gardens.

• Elegant naturally vase-shaped crown closely mimics the form of the American elm
• Peeling bark revealing orange-brown inner bark; serrated leaves ‘serrata’ = toothed
• China to S. Kuril Islands and Temperate E. Asia temperate biome; NOT only Japan as sometimes stated
• Keyaki () one of Japan’s most revered timber trees; used in temple and fine furniture construction for centuries
• Full sun; cold-hardy; urban and pollution tolerant; brilliant autumn colour; Family Ulmaceae

Zelkova serrata is one of the great deciduous trees of East Asia the keyaki’s magnificent vase-shaped form, exfoliating bark, brilliant autumn colour and status as Japan’s most celebrated timber tree have made it one of the most widely planted and admired ornamental trees in temperate regions worldwide, a worthy successor to the elm in streets and parks across Europe and North America.

IMPORTANT: Pictures show the adult plant, which is not for sale. The offer is only for seeds.