Planting Japanese Zelkova Trees
Tree planting continues at my Bedford, New York farm with a group of beautiful Japanese zelkova trees.
My gardeners and outdoor grounds crew are working very hard to plant as many saplings as possible before the ground freezes. The most recent project - a row of zelkovas along one section of my lower hayfield. Zelkova serrata is a medium-sized deciduous tree that typically grows up to 100-feet tall with a spreading, upward-branching, vase-shaped crown. Native to Japan, Taiwan, and eastern China, zelkovas are noted for their attractive bark and dense, clean foliage. These trees will look stunning in the landscape.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
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- 48 zelkovas are lined up along this side of the hayfield. They are hard to see now with their slender trunks, but in time they will be beautiful and visible from the carriage road.
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- This section of my hayfield is bordered by the weeping willows on one side. I have planted thousands and thousands of trees over the years.
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- And by the carriage road end, my new allee of London planes that we planted just a couple weeks ago.
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- Each zelkova tree is about eight feet tall. These saplings have grown so much since they arrived at the farm a couple years ago. Many of the trees I order are bare-root cuttings, which are plants that are removed from the earth while dormant and stored without any soil surrounding their roots. We pot them up and nurture them for some time before they are planted in more permanent locations.
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- The trees are spaced 20-feet apart to allow them room as they grow. They are also positioned at least 15-feet from the stone wall behind them. Whenever planting trees, always consider the size and spread of the specimen when it is mature.
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- Each tree is planted to the height it was in the pot. Planting a tree too deep can kill it. “Bare to the flare” is the rule of thumb. Look for the root collar or root flare – the bulge just above the root system where the roots begin to branch away from the trunk. The root flare should be just above the soil surface. As we do with all the trees planted at the farm, a good amount of compost is added to the existing soil in each hole. A scoop of good fertilizer is then sprinkled on the surrounding soil.
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- Once the tree is planted, it is staked to protect it as it develops. Here, one bamboo stake is placed next to each tree. Zelkova grows easily in a variety of soils, although it prefers rich, moist loam in full sun.
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- We use bamboo stakes to secure the trees. Bamboo comes in a variety of lengths and is easy to find at garden supply stores.
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- Carlos digs a hole next to the tree – about a foot deep.
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- After the stake is secured into the ground, Gavin ties garden twine in three places – this will ensure the tree is well supported and directed as it grows. Zelkovas grow rapidly when young and then they slow to a medium growth speed upon middle age and maturity.
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- We use natural jute twine for many of our projects around the farm. Jute twine is a vegetable fiber that can be spun into coarse, strong threads. It is 100-percent biodegradable and pollution-free.
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- The knots used should be very simple. I always teach every member of the crew to twist the twine before knotting, so the tree or vine or cane is not crushed or strangled.
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- I like to tie the twine in a figure-eight formation. Each piece is tied just tight enough to keep the tree secure, but not break it.
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- Gavin also trims any dead or poorly growing branches.
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- The leaves are green to dark green in spring and throughout the summer, changing to yellows, oranges, and reds in autumn. These leaves are just beginning to turn.
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- These leaves are mostly reddish in color. They are simple and ovate to oblong-ovate with serrated or crenate margins.
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- The bark is a smooth, reddish-brown when young with prominent cherry-like lenticels that allow gases to pass through between living cells and the exterior. As the tree ages, the outer bark is gray-brown and often exfoliating exposing an orangish inner bark.
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- Zelkovas are popular as lawn or park trees because of the attractive bark, leaf color, and vase shape. It provides good shade and is easy to clean up in the fall.
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- Mature zelkova trees tolerate some drought, but these trees grow better with regular irrigation during dry summers.
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- These trees are a great addition to the ever-evolving landscape at my farm. I am excited to see them develop and flourish. What fall planting are you doing this year? Share your gardening tasks with me in the comments section below.
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