Ulmus davidiana var. japonica (Japanese Elm)

Michael's Opinion

The Japanese Elm is native to Japan and Northeastern Asia where it primarily grows in swampy forests. Even though the tree prefers wet, moist soils it is quite adaptable to dry locations additionally it is tolerant of pollution including road salt.

Botanical Information

FamilyUlmaceae
GenusUlmus
Speciesdavidiana
Varietyjaponica
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (deciduous)
ReferencesEverett, Thomas H.. Living trees of the world, New York: Doubleday, 1968. Print.
OriginNorth East Asia and Japan.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer		The tree in its native range is used as firewood. Medicinally it may be used as a demulcent, astringent and a diuretic.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone4 - 8
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone3
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-33
Temperature (°F)-27
Height10 - 16 m
Spread7 - 10 m
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodMay

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionThis tree varies in size, it can be short with a densely branched crown while some specimens are tall, single stemmed, with a narrow crown. The young shoots will usually have corky wings visible. It is not frost tender and can grow in soils from light sand to heavy clay.
ID CharacteristicThe tree keeps it dark green foliage well into the autumn before turning an outstanding yellow. It flowers in May before the leaves emerge with the seeds ripening from late May into June. Neither the flower or the fruit is ornamentally significant.
ShapeUpright, vase-shaped.
LandscapeIs a widely planted as a street tree in Japan but can also be used as shade tree in medium to large gardens.
PropagationSow fresh ripe seed in a cold frame with germination occurring quite rapidly. Pot on as you would any other nursery stock, transplanting to final locations after about two years growth in the nursery.
CultivationPrefers full sun and moist well-drained loamy soils, and grows best in soils with a pH from 5.5 - 8.0.
PestsIt has moderate resistance to Dutch Elm disease, but is not immune. It also resistant to the Elm leaf beetle. This tree is susceptible to Elm Yellows, a very aggressive disease, primarily spread by leafhoppers or root grafts. The disease is caused when phytoplasmas attack the phloem of the tree. There is no known cure for Elm Yellows.
Notable SpecimensLeith Links has 4 mature specimens, near the former Leith Academy building (largest with a bole-girth of 2.9m). Chalmers street entrance to the Meadows, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland. University of Sussex at Falmer, Brighton, England. The Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, Ontario, Canada.
HabitatUsually grows around wetlands, near streams and valleys and slopes.
Bark/Stem DescriptionIt has furrowed, greyish-brown coloured bark with the young branches being a yellowish-brown and hairy and tuberculate.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionBuds are arranged alternately, are reddish-brown in colour and are usually between 3 - 7 mm long.
Leaf DescriptionThe leaves, up to 11 cm in length may be ovate, simple, or obovate and have an oblique base. The adaxil is relatively course and hairy, while abaxil is also hairy but not to the same degree as the adaxil leaf surface. The abaxil surface also has small axillary tufts. The margins are doubly-serrate.
Flower DescriptionThe flowers are wind pollinated, hermaphrodite and are light green and red colour.
Fruit DescriptionSamara (winged achene) are generally less than 15 mm long, are usually obovate to orbicular. Sometimes they are covered in tiny hairs but are generally smooth.
Colour DescriptionLeaves keep their green colour well into autumn, before changing to a deep yellow. The bark is greyish brown, and the buds are a purplish brown colour. Flowers are light green-yellow and red.
Texture DescriptionA medium textured tree.

Photographs