Zelkova schneideriana (30/11/14, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Flowering period: Spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 30m
Eventual Spread: 20m
Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Family: Ulmaceae
Zelkova schneideriana Leaf (30/11/14, Kew Gardens, London)
Zelkova schneideriana is a deciduous tree with a vase shaped habit whilst young, maturing to a rounded head. Its dark green leaves are ovate with crenate margins, rough on the upper surface, up to 10cm long and 4cm broad. Its leaves turn yellow/ orange before they fall in autumn. Its young bark is smooth and gray with pronominal lenticels while young, as this tree matures its bark exfoliates to expose orange inner bark. Its yellow/ green flowers are inconspicuous, appear in the leaf axils and wind pollinated. Its fruit is a wingless drupe, up to 3.5mm in diameter, initially green, maturing to a brown color.
Zelkova schneideriana Branch (30/11/14, Kew Gardens, London)
Zelkova schneideriana, commonly known as Schneider’s Zelkova, is native to central and east China. In its native habitat it grows in areas near to streams.
The etymological root of the binomial name Zelkova is derived from the Caucasian name for this tree ‘tselkwa’. Schneideriana is named after Camillo Karl Schneider (1876 – 1951), a German botanist.
The landscape architect may find Zelkova schneideriana useful as an attractive parkland tree.
Zelkova schneideriana Bark (30/11/14, Kew Gardens, London)
Ecologically, Zelkova schneideriana seeds are attractive to some mammals and birds.
Zelkova schneideriana prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Zelkova schneideriana requires little maintenance.
