20. Japanese zelkova

Common Name - Japanese zelkova         

Latin Name - Zelkova serrata

Height -   12+ Metres                Spread – 8+ Metres

Being a relative of the Elm family, this tree originates from Japan and was introduced into the United Kingdom in 1861. Having wide spreading and rounded habit, this medium-sized deciduous tree will grow to an ultimate height of 12 metres and can be found to live upwards of five-hundred years in its native habitat. The tree has a smooth greyish bark and neatly toothed, lance-shaped leaves which, turn orange and then yellow in autumn. Whilst, insignificant, the tree also produces yellow-greenish flowers that give rise to small fruit in late summer to autumn.

Characteristically, the tree is the symbol of a number of Japanese cities and is often utilised to make furniture, such as ‘Tansu’, which, is a storage cabinet indigenous to Japan. Similarly, the wood is also considered useful in making ‘Taiko’ drums, a percussion instrument used to play Japanese music.