Zelkova sinica

Zelkova sinica (30/11/14, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 25m

Eventual Spread: 15m

Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Ulmaceae

Zelkova sinica is a deciduous tree with a vase shaped habit whilst young, maturing to a rounded head and often with multi stems.  Its dark green leaves are ovate to elliptic with crenate margins, rough on the upper surface, up to 6cm long and 35mm broad. Its leaves turn yellow/ orange before they fall in autumn. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of up to 60cm. Its bark is smooth and grey/ white with pronominal lenticels. Its yellow/ green flowers are inconspicuous, appear in the leaf axils and wind pollinated. Its fruit is a wingless drupe, up to 7mm in diameter, initially green, maturing to a brown colour.

Zelkova sinica Leaf (30/11/14, Kew Gardens, London)

Zelkova sinica, commonly known as Chinese Zelkova, is native to north central China. In its native habitat it grows on river banks.

The etymological root of the binomial name Zelkova is derived from the Caucasian name for this tree ‘tselkwa’. Sinica is from the Latin meaning ‘of China’.

The landscape architect may find Zelkova sinica useful as an attractive parkland tree. This tree is tolerant of urban conditions.

Zelkova sinica Bark (30/11/14, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Zelkova sinica seeds are attractive to some mammals and birds.

Zelkova sinica prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Zelkova sinica requires little maintenance.

Zelkova schneideriana

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 grey 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 colour.

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.

Ulmus ‘Dodoens’

Ulmus ‘Dodoens’ (18/11/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to light shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 20m

Eventual Spread: 7m

Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Ulmaceae

Ulmus ‘Dodoens’ is a fast growing deciduous tree with upright branches and a broad spherical crown. Its dark green leaves are ovate with serrate margins, up to 14cm long and 10cm broad. Its leaves turn yellow in autumn before they fall. Its sliver/ grey bark is fissured. Its yellow/ green flowers appear as dense bundles. Its brown fruit is a winged nutlet.

Ulmus ‘Dodoens’, commonly known as Dodoens Elm, is a hybrid of Ulmus glabra ‘ Exoniensis’ and Ulmus wallichiana and was created in Holland. Ulmus ‘Dodoens’ has a moderate resistance to Dutch Elm Disease.

Ulmus ‘Dodoens’ Autumn Leaf (18/11/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Ulmus is from the Latin name for the Elm tree. The cultivar name Dodoens is named after Rembert Dodoens (1517 – 1585), a Flemish physician and botanist.

The landscape architect may find Ulmus ‘Dodoens’ useful as a street tree due to its tolerance of urban conditions. It has fantastic autumn colour. It is tolerant of maritime conditions.

Ecologically, Ulmus ‘Dodoens’ seeds are attractive to some birds.

Ulmus ‘Dodoens’ Bark (18/11/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

Ulmus ‘Dodoens’  prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil, although it prefers chalky soils.

Ulmus ‘Dodoens’ requires little maintenance.