Zelkova sinica Chinese zelkova

Ulmaceae

Zelkova sinica Chinese zelkova

Sturdy tree with a broad, round to fan-shaped crown. The trunk often has low branching and the half-open crown is formed by several heavy boughs. The young twigs are glossy brown and covered in dense woolly hair in the first season. The mature bark is brown to grey-green and peels off in thin, flat plates. The ovate to elongated leaf has a sharply serrated margin so the lateral veins terminate as a small thread-like point. Closely resembles Z. serrata but this has 8 to 14 lateral veins per leaf whereas Z. sinica has 7 to 12 lateral veins per leaf. The leaf is glossy green and turns brownish yellow in autumn. The tree blossoms with inconspicuous green flowers that appear in May, after the leaf development. They are followed by small obovate fruits.
Our trees can only be planted when they don't have any leaves. Due to the this we will start delivering again from November 2025.
Availability
Specifications
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Height
15 - 18 m
Width
10-15m
Crown
round to fan-shaped, light, open crown, capricious growing
Bark and branches
twigs glossy brown, bark brown to grey-green peeling in thin flat plates
Leaf
ovoid to elongated, glossy green, 5 - 9 cm
Autumn colour
yellow
Flowers
inconspicuous , unisexual, monoecious, green, May
Fruits
small obovate fruit, 0.5 - 0.6 cm, green, later brown
Spines/thorns
None
Toxicity
usually not toxic to people, (large) pets and livestock
Soil type
humic, moist and loamy
Paving
tolerates paving
Winter hardiness zone
6 (-23,3 to -17,8 °C)
Wind resistance
moderate to reasonable
Other resistances
resistant to frost (WH 1 - 6)
Application
tree containers, roof gardens
Shape
clearstem tree, multi-stem treem
Origin
Central and eastern China
Clear stem tree Multi-stem tree clay soil loamy soil sandy soil tolerates paving resistant to frost (WH 1 - 6) broad vase-shaped 1st size , taller than 12 metres open crown green green average growing Attractive autumn colour non-toxic (usually) Capricious growing playground tree
Possibly of interest
Frequently asked questions
Zelkova sinica

Zelkova sinica can eventually reach a height of 15 - 18 m, depending on the site and climate conditions.

Zelkova sinica is average growing and can eventually reach a height of 15 - 18 m, depending on the site and climate conditions.

The leaves of Zelkova sinica turn yellow in autumn.

The right time to plant Zelkova sinica is during the dormancy period. In Western Europe, Zelkova sinica with root balls can generally be planted from mid-November to late April, although this depends strongly on the climatic conditions and the species of tree.

Zelkova sinica blooms in may.
General

Yes, we deliver to the UK. Delivery costs depend on the region and the total order value. Below, you’ll find all the details.

Delivery charges for private customers are calculated based on your region and are visible during the checkout process. We also offer discounts based on the total value of your order:

  • Orders over £1,000: Receive a 50% discount on delivery costs.
  • Orders over £2,000: Delivery is completely free.

Yes, for trees with a size of 50-60 cm girth or larger, additional delivery charges apply due to the need for specialised transport. These costs will be calculated separately and shared with you after your order is placed. We will contact you to discuss the transport options and costs.

Once you add items to your basket and proceed to the checkout, the system will calculate the delivery charges for your region. If your order qualifies for any discounts, they will automatically be applied.

For any questions or specific delivery requests, feel free to contact our customer service team. We’re happy to help arrange the best delivery solution for your order.