General Description

Zelkova serrata ‘Halka’ is a smaller, fast growing tree, with graceful, arching limbs that closely resembles an Elm.

Landscape

Halka Zelkova makes for an excellent shade and specimen tree due to its foliage and bark. Replacing most of the American Elms due to its resistance to Dutch elm disease, it is a wonderful tree for parks and other recreational areas due to its size (as it is smaller than most Zelkova’s).

Cultivation

Requires full sun and prefers well drained, moist, soils.

Shape

Upright and vase shape.

Growth

Fast

ID Characteristic

Leaves are long with serrated edge, the bark is smooth with prominent lenticels, and the flowers are small, green and clumped together near the branch tip.

Pests

None that pose a serious problem, however, can be susceptible to mistletoe and Japanese beetles.

Habitat

Horticultural origin.

Bark/Stem Description

Smooth bark with raised lenticels, when peeled back reveals orange patches.

Leaf Description

Deep green with long, alternate, oblong-ovate leaves that are serrate with acuminate teeth.

Flower Description

Small, green, unattractive and clumped together.

Colour Description

Dark green leaves in spring and summer, with attractive yellowish colour in autumn. Has an interesting bark colour of slightly deep orange when bark begins to peel.

Notable Specimens

The Niagara Parks Botanical Garden, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

O’Sullivan, P. (2007). The homeowner’s complete tree and shrub handbook: The essential guide to choosing, planting, and maintaining perfect landscape plants. China: Regent Publishing Services. Dirr, M. (2009). Manual of woody landscape plants: Their identification, ornamental characteristics, culture, propagation and uses. Champaign, Illinois: Stipes Publishing L.L.C.