Japanese Elm

Japanese Elm (Zelkova serrata) is the deciduous shade tree to plant when you want the shape of a classic elm without the disease record. It reaches about 10m tall and 8m wide in a suburban garden, and considerably more with age, carried on a clean trunk that lifts into a wide vase shaped canopy. The autumn display runs from yellow through orange to bronze red before the leaves drop and the winter sun comes back through.

Why you'll love it

• Shade in summer, sun in winter. A dense canopy over the hottest months, then bare branches that let the low winter sun reach the house.
• Reliable autumn colour. Yellow, orange and red on the same tree, and the display holds for several weeks in a cool climate.
• The vase shape works over paving. Branches rise before they spread, so cars, paths and outdoor rooms fit underneath.
• Tough once established. Frost hardy, drought tolerant, wind tolerant and heat tolerant, a rare combination in a deciduous tree.
• Low maintenance. No flowers to sweep, no fruit to stain, and little pruning beyond the early years.

Where it works best

Shade trees for lawns and back gardens. Give it 8m of clear space in every direction, and as much again from the house, because a mature tree exceeds 10m in time.

Driveways and avenues. Plant 8m to 10m apart in a row. That spacing lets each canopy reach full width and still meet its neighbour overhead within about a decade.

Feature planting. As a single specimen on a large lawn, the bare branch structure is worth looking at all winter.

Growing Japanese Elm in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun and open ground. It belongs in cool temperate, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens, and needs genuine winter cold to colour properly. In the subtropics and tropics it stays green, drops late and never puts on the show.

Soil. Deep, free draining soil gives the best growth, though it copes with light clay. Avoid ground that stays wet through winter, and improve the whole planting area rather than just the hole.

Water and feed. Deep soak weekly through the first two summers to drive the roots down. After that it manages on rainfall in most temperate gardens. A complete slow release fertiliser each spring is enough while it is young.

Pruning. Formative pruning in the first three winters sets the trunk height and framework. Choose one leader, remove crossing limbs early, then leave it alone.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in five sizes: 300mm and 400mm pots, then 45L, 100L and 200L. The 300mm and 400mm plants are young whips, a metre or two of stem with a light head, and the value choice for an avenue. The 45L and 100L trees arrive with a formed trunk, and the 200L is an advanced tree for immediate effect.

Deciduous trees may arrive bare or thinly leafed depending on the season. That is normal. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, quoted for the size and destination. Every tree is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Choosing a canopy tree for shade
• Browse the full deciduous tree range
• Compare plants for autumn colour
• Evergreen or deciduous, and how to decide

Common questions

How big does it really get?

Around 10m tall and 8m wide in an average garden, but an old tree in good soil will pass 15m. Plan for the larger figure and keep it well clear of paving, pipes and the house.

How fast does it grow?

Moderate rather than fast, which is part of why the timber and branch structure are strong. Expect useful shade in five to seven years from a 45L tree, longer from a 300mm.

Will it colour up in a warm climate?

Partly. In warm temperate gardens you get yellow and some orange. The deep red comes with cold nights, so cool temperate and elevated districts see the best of it.