Zelkova — Japanese Zelkova 'Musashino'
Zelkova serrata
Zelkova — Japanese Zelkova 'Musashino' (Zelkova serrata) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Conditionally Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 35–45 ft tall and 10–20 ft wide, needs medium water, and prefers full sun. Marginal cold hardiness for the Front Range — winter dieback and stress are common. Better suited to milder zones.
medium water35–45 ft tall and 10–20 ft wide
Photos
At a glance
- Rating
- Conditionally Recommended
- Botanical name
- Zelkova serrata
- Variety / cultivar
- Japanese Zelkova 'Musashino'
- Type
- Tree
- Mature size
- 35–45 ft tall and 10–20 ft wide
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5–8
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Lifespan
- Medium
- Fall color
- Red, orange, bronze
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Pollinator value
- low
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Cold Hardiness
- Watch: Exposure
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- low
Frequently asked questions
- Is Zelkova — Japanese Zelkova 'Musashino' good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes. Zelkova — Japanese Zelkova 'Musashino' is included in the Front Range Plant Finder as a tree suited to Colorado's Front Range, rated "Conditionally Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Zelkova — Japanese Zelkova 'Musashino' get?
- It matures to about 35–45 ft tall and 10–20 ft wide.
- Is Zelkova — Japanese Zelkova 'Musashino' hardy on the Front Range?
- Zelkova — Japanese Zelkova 'Musashino' is hardy in USDA 5–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is at its cold edge here — site it in a warm microclimate and protect young plants.
- How much water does Zelkova — Japanese Zelkova 'Musashino' need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does Zelkova — Japanese Zelkova 'Musashino' grow?
- Zelkova — Japanese Zelkova 'Musashino' is a moderate-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Zelkova — Japanese Zelkova 'Musashino' live?
- Zelkova — Japanese Zelkova 'Musashino' has a moderate lifespan for a Front Range tree. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- What color does Zelkova — Japanese Zelkova 'Musashino' turn in fall?
- Zelkova — Japanese Zelkova 'Musashino' turns red, orange, and bronze in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Zelkova — Japanese Zelkova 'Musashino' native to Colorado?
- No — it is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
