AusBonsai

I have two Chinese elms, and I think two Zelkova's (Japanese Elms) either that or I have 4 Chinese elms, cos I haven't quite learned how to tell the difference yet.

What I want to know is up here in the tropics will they drop their leaves in winter?

Glenda

not sure on the zelcova, the chinese elm will most likely act semi deciduous, which means they can drop there leaves if a cold spurt comes along, it might not drop them for a couple of years then the next year they will all fall or they will drop more than half there foliage and that will get them through. thats how my chinese elm was here in hervey bay.


jamie

Glenda quite a differance in foliage the leaf is slightly longer extending with a bit of a tip also the edges are more serrated. Ive had 2 up here for about a season now, no leaf drop without forced which i did end of winter . i did get alittle colour last year more than my standard chinese elms if that helps. They are lovely material and ramify very well but i dont think they grow trunk width as fast as chinese, seji elms otherwise id thought they would be used more. Defoliation no problem once you are trying to achieve ramification etc. They rebud very quickly in general. hope that helps

Thanks guys.

Hi Glenda,
zelkova is very much a deciduous tree with a larger and more serrated leaf than the chinese elm. The zelkova leaf is not as dark as a chinese elm. Zelkovas are nearly always grown as very formal brooms.
Craig