Green Vase® Zelkova Tree

The loss of the American elm to disease left tree lovers with a hole in the heart, and many of our cities with empty, bare streets. There is, however, a wonderful tree that is beautiful and in the same plant family as elm trees. It too has strong rising branches, and it will tower over us, reaching 60 feet in height. It has similar leaves, but a unique vase-like form, with many branches rising from the top of its main trunk. This tree is the Japanese zelkova, and its graceful shape and attractive bark make it a very worthy substitute for the lost elm, and a lovely shade tree in its own right. The Green Vase Zelkova is a selected variety that is superior to most others, with excellent drought resistance, stronger fall colors, rapid growth and a powerful vase-shaped crown that brings lots of presence and grandeur to your garden.

Growing the Green Vase Zelkova

Size and Appearance

The Green Vase Zelkova is a tall deciduous tree that grows rapidly, adding about 2 feet every year, so that in just 20 years your tree will be over 40 feet tall, ultimately growing up to 60 feet in height. The crown has a spread of 25 to 40 feet, casting a wide circle of shade over your home or lawn. The main trunk is broad and straight, and characteristically this tree develops many ascending branches from a single area at the top of the trunk. This creates a strong, spreading but upright crown, with an eye-catching and appealing form. The smooth bark is gray-brown and very attractive. The elliptical leaves are 4 to 5 inches long, and a handsome olive-green. They have pronounced serrations along the edges, reminiscent of the American elm. In fall they turn a warm, vibrant, glowing orange, a much stronger and more attractive color than most other zelkova, which usually have rusty, dark-red fall colors at best. Insignificant greenish flowers form in spring, followed by small dry seeds in fall, which don’t make a mess of the garden.

Using the Green Vase Zelkova in Your Garden

This tree is a wonderful choice for a large shade tree on your lawn, or in the corners of your yard. It looks fabulous planted as an avenue, or as a row along a property line – space trees 20 feet or more apart to preserve their individual identity. This tree grows to a large size, and with its spread of up to 40 feet it is important to choose the planting spot carefully. Plant it at least 20 feet away from any buildings or other obstructions, and don’t plant it beneath power lines. Remember that if you plant along a boundary with neighbors, that they own all parts of the tree that cross that line and can cut it if they wish to. This is a worthy and wonderful tree, so plant it with the future in mind. Zelkova is also a popular subject for bonsai, and with the right care and patience this tree would be perfect to grow as a bonsai tree.

Hardiness

The Green Vase Zelkova is more hardy than many other forms of this tree. It is completely hardy in zone 5, and in all other zones except for zone 9, where winters are too short and warm for its proper development.

Sun Exposure and Soil Conditions

Plant your Green Vase Zelkova in a spot with full sun, even if it needs to grow a little before it reaches it. It grows best in fertile, moist, well-drained soil, but once established this variety has good drought resistance, and it grows well in clay soils and urban conditions. It is also more resistant to air-pollution than other varieties of this tree.

Maintenance and Pruning

Water regularly when young and use organic mulch over the roots (not touching the trunk) to conserve moisture and provide some nutrients for the tree. You may need to remove a few of the lowest branches to give you the trunk height you want. Do this gradually over a few years, once the tree is established and growing well, but don’t leave it too long, otherwise you will leave scars that may never completely cover over with smooth bark. This tree has no serious pests or diseases, and most importantly it is completely resistant and unaffected by all forms of Dutch elm disease.

History and Origin of the Green Vase Zelkova

The Japanese zelkova, Zelkova serrata, is a forest tree native to the islands of Japan, and to Korea, Taiwan and eastern parts of China. In the early 1970s Princeton Nurseries, in Plainsboro, New Jersey, obtained a package of seed collected from the forests by the Institute of Forest Genetics in South Korea. They planted the seedlings in a field, and very soon William Flemer, III noticed one tree that was growing twice as fast as all the others, with extra-large leaves. Tests and trials showed that it was also more cold and drought resistant, and had an excellent narrow vase-shaped form, compared to other varieties. In 1983 it was patented with the name ‘Green Vase’ (PP# 05,080), a patent that expired in 2003.

Buying the Green Vase Zelkova at The Tree Center

The Green Vase Zelkova is a variety that is highly regarded by all tree authorities, and it has been described as the ‘standard for comparison with all others’ by no less a person than Michael Dirr, an author, breeder, and well-known authority on trees and shrubs. We highly recommend this variety, and we know it will become as loved as the elm was before it. Order now and plant a tree for posterity, but do it soon, while our stock of this sort-after variety remains available.