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Caucasian elm, delicate yellow leaves in fall for a hardy-proof winter

Caucasian elm leaves
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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

Caucasian elm seed nuts
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

Large caucasian elm in a cemetery in winter, just before pruning
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.

Smart tip about Caucasian elm

During its first years, mulch the foot of the tree in summer to retain soil moisture.


Image credits (edits Gaspard Lorthiois):
CC BY-SA 2.0: Richard Ash
CC BY-NC 4.0: dmarymac
Public Domain: Olive Titus

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.

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