Japanese Zelkova

Look

Leaves

Alternate simple leaves; parallel lateral veins run out to the marginal teeth.

Flowers

Flowers are small, green and inconspicuous.

Fruit

Fruits are small, ovoid to kidney-shaped, with two small beak-like projections.

Bark

Bark is grayish white, with some smooth areas.

Where it grows

In Korea

Native

Native to

China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan and the southern Kuril Islands.

Ecology

Recorded as tolerating drought and wind once established.

Stories

• Samgoejeong, the Pavilion of Three Zelkovas: The Oga-ri Village Guardian Trees That Watched Over a Village for 800 Years

Famous Japanese Zelkova trees in Korea

• Zelkova Tree of Hwangbang-ri, YangjuNatural Monument No. 278 · about 850 years · Nam-myeon, Yangju-si, Gyeonggi-do
• Japanese Zelkova of Oga-ri, GoesanNatural Monument No. 382 · about 800 years · Jangyeon-myeon, Goesan-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
• Japanese Zelkova of Hwayang-dong, SeoulProvincial Monument · about 700 years · Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
• Japanese Zelkova of Gwegok-dong, DaejeonNatural Monument No. 545 · about 700 years · Gwegok-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon
• Japanese Zelkova of Daechi-ri, DamyangNatural Monument No. 284 · about 600 years · Daejeon-myeon, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
• Japanese Zelkova of Haengchon-ri, GimjeNatural Monument No. 280 · about 600 years · Bongnam-myeon, Gimje-si, Jeollabuk-do
• Zelkova Tree of Jinginri, NamwonNatural Monument No. 281 · about 600 years · Bojeol-myeon, Namwon-si, Jeollabuk-do
• Zelkova Tree of Yeosan DongheonProvincial Monument · about 600 years · Yeosan-myeon, Iksan-si, Jeollabuk-do
• Zelkova Tree of Sasin-ri, AndongNatural Monument No. 275 · about 600 years · Nokjeon-myeon, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
• Japanese Zelkova of Myeongjin-ri, GeojeProvincial Monument · about 600 years · Geoje-myeon, Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
• Japanese Zelkova of Dongye-ri, JinjuProvincial Monument · about 600 years · Geumgok-myeon, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
• Japanese Zelkova Hyeongosu of Segan-ri, UiryeongNatural Monument No. 493 · about 520 years · Yugok-myeon, Uiryeong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
• Japanese Zelkova of Wolgok-ri, YeongamNatural Monument No. 283 · about 516 years · Gunseo-myeon, Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do
• Japanese Zelkova of Gyeongsang-ri, DamyangProvincial Monument · about 500 years · Gasamunhak-myeon, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
• Japanese Zelkova of Bongdeok-ri, JangsuNatural Monument No. 396 · about 500 years · Cheoncheon-myeon, Jangsu-gun, Jeollabuk-do
• Japanese Zelkova of Haksaru Pavilion, HamyangNatural Monument No. 407 · about 500 years · Hamyang-eup, Hamyang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
• Japanese Zelkova of Woncheon, GeochangProvincial Monument · about 500 years · Gajo-myeon, Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
• Japanese Zelkova of Danghang-ri, NamhaeProvincial Monument · about 500 years · Nam-myeon, Namhae-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
• Zelkova Tree of Seongsan-ri, HapcheonProvincial Monument · about 500 years · Ssangchaek-myeon, Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
• Japanese Zelkova of Bongsan-dong, DaejeonProvincial Monument · about 480 years · Bongsan-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon
• Japanese Zelkova of Daegang-ri, GoheungProvincial Monument · about 400 years · Donggang-myeon, Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do
• Japanese Zelkova of Garimseong Fortress, BuyeoNatural Monument No. 564 · about 400 years · Imcheon-myeon, Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
• Japanese Zelkova of Hak-dong, GwangjuProvincial Monument · about 350 years · Hak-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju
• Japanese Zelkova of Singi-ri, CheongsongNatural Monument No. 192 · about 350 years · Pacheon-myeon, Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
• Zelkova, Hornbeam and Hackberry Forest of Hyanggyo-ri, HampyeongNatural Monument No. 108 · Daedong-myeon, Hampyeong-gun, Jeollanam-do
• Japanese Zelkova of Danjeon-ri, JangseongNatural Monument No. 478 · Bukha-myeon, Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do
• Dokusujeong Garden Forest, DamyangProvincial Monument · Gasamunhak-myeon, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
• Japanese Zelkova of Yasa-ri, HwasunProvincial Monument · Iseo-myeon, Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do
• Zelkova Trees of Yonggungsa TempleProvincial Monument · Yeongjong-gu, Incheon
• Japanese Zelkova of Daean-ri, WonseongNatural Monument No. 279 · Heungeop-myeon, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do

Sources

• NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
• 국립수목원 국가표준식물목록(자생식물)
• Oregon State University Landscape Plants — Zelkova serrata
• Kew Plants of the World Online — Zelkova serrata
• 대전광역시 한밭수목원, 제4차 수목원진흥실시계획(2019–2023)
• 대구광역시 (2019), 제2차 대구광역시 도시림 등 조성·관리계획
• 산림청·국립수목원 (2012), 한국의 가로수 — 나무가 만드는 아름다운 길
• 한국농촌경제연구원 — 조경수 관측월보 2025년 12월(한국조경수협회 게시 원문)
• 한국관광공사 대한민국 구석구석
• 서울신문 [고규홍의 나무와 사람이야기] (51) 괴산 오가리 느티나무 (2011-10-27, 고규홍 나무칼럼니스트)
• 국가유산청 국가유산포털 — 천연기념물 괴산 오가리 느티나무 (기본정보·국가유산 설명·개별안내판 설명)