Zelkova serrata

A stand of Japanese zelkovas outside of Rockwell Hall.

Japanese zelkova leaves.

Lichens cover the bark of a Japanese zelkova.

Scientific name: Zelkova serrata

Common name: Japanese Zelkova

Native: No

Native range: Native to central and southern Japan [2].

Distribution in North America: Click to view the USDA Plants Database page for Z. serrata.

USDA Zones: 5-8 [1]

Maximum age: Unclear, but other Zelkova species live for several hundred years [3].

Ecology: This non-native is likely to be of little use to North American fauna, and its ecological role within its native range is sorely understudied [1,3].

Ethnobotany: In its native range, it is used in the production of paper and as lumber for furniture-making. It is also used in Chinese medicine for a variety of purposes, and Koreans plant the tree as a symbol of tolerance, patience, peace, and harmony [3].