Caucasian elm, delicate yellow leaves in fall for a hardy-proof winter
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Planting Caucasian elm
Indifferently, in fall or spring.
Follow our guidelines on planting trees.
This is a very hardy tree, down to -10°F (-30°C): it comes from Siberia! Occasionally, it’s called Siberian elm.
Caucasian elm at a glance
Name
Zelkova carpinifolia
Family
Ulmaceae
Type
tree
Height
100 feet (30 meters)
Exposure
full sun
Soil
ordinary
Foliage
deciduous
Flowering
mid-spring
Propagation for Zelkova carpinifolia
Seeds from mature specimens germinate readily in spring
Currently, this isn’t a very easy tree to find.
In certain botanical gardens, such as in Dublin, Ireland, the tree will produce seeds.
These readily sprout in spring (you can also ask for a sprout or seed if you visit the garden in the right season).
Which zelkova to plant
The Caucasian elm is only one member of a small genus, and most of the zelkovas offered by nurseries are selections of its Japanese cousin. Size and habit are what separate them, since all of them share the same easy-going, hardy nature.
Which zelkova to plant
Variety
Height
Habit
Autumn colour
‘Green Vase’
15–20 m
Strongly upright vase, fast growing
Orange-bronze
‘Village Green’
12–15 m
Rounded, vigorous, straight-trunked
Rusty red
‘Musashino’
10–12 m
Narrow, upright column
Yellow to orange
Pruning Caucasian elm
Cut back only when dormant, in autumn or late winter
It doesn’t need any pruning.
If you wish to reduce the size of the tree or cut off lower branches, best to perform this during the dormant phase of the vegetation, in fall or at the end of winter.
All there is to know about the Caucasian elm
This very elegant tree, which has a majestic bearing when it reaches its adult size, is native to the Caucasian mountains.
It is easy to care for and will endow you with wonder in fall when it becomes gilded with luminous golden yellow leaves.
Written by Gaspard Lorthiois | Loves helping out, especially when it comes to growing things. Worked in herbal medicine, runs a farm, and dabbles in tech. Master's degree and engineer.