Zelkova serrata Green Vase – Green Vase® Japanese Zelkova

Botanical Name: Zelkova serrata Green Vase

Alternate Name: Green Vase® Zelkova, Japanese Zelkova

The Green Vase® Japanese Zelkova (Zelkova serrata ‘Green Vase’) is a moderate growing, medium to large sized deciduous tree. It has a vase-shaped growth habit and open, spreading branches. Japanese Zelkova originated in eastern China, Japan, and Taiwan and is prized for its elegant growth pattern, clean foliage, and attractive bark.

Green Vase® was developed by Princeton Nurseries of New Jersey in the 1980’s. It is not as narrow as the Musashino Columnar Zelkova but not as wide as the Village Green Japanese Zelkova.

It is often used as a substitute for the American Elm (Ulmus americana) as it displays good resistance to Dutch Elm disease. This tree grows to a height of 60-80 feet with a spread of 40-50 feet.

The leaves of Green Vase® are oblong to elliptical in shape with coarsely serrated margins. They measure up to 3 inches long. In the fall, the foliage turns a glowing bronzy orange.

The blooms are small, green, and not showy. They develop in March or April. The fruits are oval drupes that ripen in the fall. The bark is smooth and gray and develops an exfoliating habit as the tree matures, revealing bright orange inner bark.

The Green Vase® Japanese Zelkova is adaptable and a useful specimen to use as a street tree due to its tolerance of urban pollution, drought (once established), and general hardiness.