Zelkova serrata - Evergreen Trees Direct

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Zelkova serrata (Japanese Elm Tree)

$620.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 100L

30cm/33cm 40cm/45L 100L 200L

Current Stock Height Guides

100L: 2.6m – 3m Approx
40cm/45L: 2.6m – 3.2m tall
30cm/33cm: 2.4m – 2.6m tall

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 15m to 25m (approx.)

Mature Width: 10m to 15m

Zelkova serrata (Japanese Elm Tree) is expected to grow 40cm to 60cm per year (moderate) (approx.).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Shipping is calculated at checkout based on the pallet space your order occupies in the truck and your delivery location.

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Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Zelkova serrata (Japanese Elm Tree)

Zelkova serrata, the Japanese Zelkova, is a large deciduous shade tree with an upright trunk that divides into a broad, spreading vase of branches. The serrated green leaves turn yellow, orange and bronze in autumn, and the smooth grey bark flakes in patches to show orange underneath.

It grows 12 to 18 metres tall and 10 to 15 metres wide, and can reach 30 metres in ideal conditions, adding roughly 40 to 60 centimetres a year. Full sun and a deep soil suit it best. It is frost hardy, handles heat, wind and urban air, and is drought tolerant once established.

This is a street, park and large garden tree, planted for shade, avenue work and civic projects where an elm form is wanted without the disease risk. It needs genuine room, so set it out on its mature spread rather than its nursery size. On the right site it is a fifty year asset.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Japanese Zelkova

What is Zelkova serrata?

Zelkova serrata is a deciduous tree from Japan, Korea and eastern China, in the elm family. It carries a short trunk and a broad vase shaped crown of fine, serrated leaves, and is widely planted as a shade and street tree. Unlike the true elms it is highly resistant to Dutch elm disease.

How big does a Japanese Zelkova grow?

It reaches 12 to 18 metres tall and 10 to 15 metres wide in cultivation, and can get to 30 metres in ideal conditions with deep soil and no competition. Plan the planting position on the upper figures rather than the lower ones, because a mature specimen carries a very substantial canopy.

Is it evergreen or deciduous?

Deciduous. The tree carries fresh green foliage through spring and summer, colours to yellow, orange and bronze in autumn, then stands bare through winter. That bare period lets winter sun through to buildings and paths below, which is one reason it is favoured for streets, car parks and the northern side of houses.

How fast does Zelkova serrata grow?

Moderate, at around 40 to 60 centimetres a year once established. Young trees in good soil with regular water push along faster, then the rate settles as the canopy broadens. It is quicker than an oak and slower than a poplar, which is a sensible pace for a tree meant to last.

Does Japanese Zelkova have invasive roots?

The roots are relatively well behaved for a tree of this size, but the trunk flare and surface roots will lift paving if planted too close. Allow at least 4 to 5 metres from slabs, kerbs and footings, and more where the soil is shallow. Avoid planting directly over sewer and stormwater lines.

Where does it grow best in Australia?

It does well through cool and temperate Australia, including Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Sydney, the tablelands and Tasmania, and it is reliable in inland towns with hot dry summers provided it is watered while young. Autumn colour is strongest where the nights turn cold. It is not suited to the wet tropics.

How do I care for a Japanese Zelkova?

Water deeply and regularly for the first two or three summers, then it manages on rainfall in most districts. Mulch out to the drip line and keep the mulch off the trunk. Formative pruning in the first few years sets a single leader and good branch spacing. Established trees need very little attention.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

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Uses in my Garden

Screening or Privacy
Feature Tree
Council or Civic Landscapes

Zelkova serrata (Japanese Elm Tree) works in an:

Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Zelkova serrata (Japanese Elm Tree) Evergreen or Deciduous?

Zelkova serrata (Japanese Elm Tree) is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 15m to 25m (approx.)

Mature Width: 10m to 15m

Zelkova serrata (Japanese Elm Tree) is expected to grow 40cm to 60cm per year (moderate) (approx.).

Growth Rate of Zelkova serrata (Japanese Elm Tree)

Zelkova serrata (Japanese Elm Tree) is expected to grow 40cm to 60cm per year (moderate) (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Zelkova serrata (Japanese Elm Tree)

Is Zelkova serrata (Japanese Elm Tree) frost tolerant?

Zelkova serrata (Japanese Elm Tree) is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Zelkova serrata (Japanese Elm Tree) Flower?

Zelkova serrata does not produce ornamental flowers. Its blooms are small and inconspicuous, and the tree is instead admired for its graceful branching structure and striking autumn colour in rich tones of yellow, orange and crimson.

Does Zelkova serrata (Japanese Elm Tree) flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Not Applicable

Flower Colour:

Not Applicable

Is Zelkova serrata (Japanese Elm Tree) an Australian Native Tree?

No

Zelkova serrata (Japanese Elm Tree) is Native to East Asia, particularly Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and eastern China, where it grows naturally in temperate forests.

What is the Wildlife Value of Zelkova serrata (Japanese Elm Tree) ?

Its broad, arching canopy provides excellent shelter for small birds, while its foliage supports a variety of beneficial insects that help strengthen garden biodiversity and contribute to a balanced ecosystem.

How much Sunlight does Zelkova serrata (Japanese Elm Tree) need?

Zelkova serrata (Japanese Elm Tree) will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Zelkova serrata performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils with an acidic to neutral pH. It will also tolerate sandy soils if enriched with organic matter to improve moisture and nutrient retention. Avoid alkaline soils or heavy, compacted clay unless significantly improved, as these conditions can limit growth and reduce autumn colour intensity. Keep the soil evenly moist during establishment, then reduce watering as the tree matures.

Is Zelkova serrata (Japanese Elm Tree) Drought Tolerant?

Is Zelkova serrata (Japanese Elm Tree) Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires regular deep watering, but once established Zelkova serrata develops moderate drought tolerance. It performs reliably through warm, dry periods when planted in well-drained soil, maintaining its shape and foliage quality with minimal supplementary watering.

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How To Plant Your Zelkova serrata (Japanese Elm Tree)

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Zelkova serrata (Japanese Elm Tree)

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Zelkova serrata (Japanese Elm Tree) is expected to grow 40cm to 60cm per year (moderate) (approx.).

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Zelkova serrata (Japanese Elm Tree)

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional scale or caterpillar inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Zelkova serrata (Japanese Elm Tree) in Different Soil

Zelkova serrata performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is this tree suitable for urban environments?
Yes, Japanese Zelkova is commonly used as a street tree or in urban parks due to its adaptability, graceful form, and ornamental value.
Does Zelkova serrata attract wildlife?
While it may provide habitat for small birds and insects, it is not known for attracting wildlife in significant numbers.
Is it tolerant of different soil types?
Yes, the Japanese Zelkova is adaptable to various soil types, making it a versatile and hardy tree.