Zelkova schneideriana
Chinese Zelkova
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Material uses
The fibre from the bark is used for manufacturing ropes and paper[3]. The high quality timber is resistant to decay[3].
- Product or use
- Fibre
- Product or use
- Wood
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - southwest China.
- Habitat
- Beside streams at elevations of 200 - 1100 metres (1800 - 2800 metres in Yunnan and Xizang Provinces)[3].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stored seed requires stratification and should be sown as early in the year as possible[4][2]. Germination rates are variable[4]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cultivation
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in almost any good soil, acid or alkaline, preferring a deep well-drained moist loam[1][2]. Prefers a moderately sheltered position[1]. Relatively shade tolerant[2]. A fast growing tree[2]. Dormant plants are very cold-tolerant, but they are sometimes damaged by late spring frosts when they are young[1]. Plants are susceptible to Dutch Elm Disease, but the beetle that is the vector of this disease rarely feeds on Zelkova so infestation is rare[1][2]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[2].
References
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00