Zelkova Serrata Question: Is this common?

[CapeCodBonsai]

I’m not a dendrologist nor am I a professional nurseryman so, I have no idea if this sort of leaf deviation is a common occurrence.

Several years ago, I planted a packet of Zelkova serrata seeds that I purchased from Sheffield’s Seeds. While there is slight variation between trees in the leaf architecture, one tree in particular stands out from the rest. I was just curious if this was commonplace with Japanese Zelkova?


A typical example of the leaves on the other Zelkovas.

The tree in question has leaves that are lighter in color and they exhibit noticeably deeper serration in the leaf margins. The tree is also slower growing than its counterparts and has a more columnar silhouette.

Is this kind of variation typical within the species?

 

[Shibui]

Zelkova is normally quite stable with little variability but genetic variation does occur. There are already a few different cultivars in circulation. If you are treating all the seedlings the same and this one still shows the same variation it is likely to be genetic and, therefore, a new cultivar.
Try striking a few cuttings to see if the traits persist in its offspring. Bonsai people are always on the lookout for something a little different. It may even have some good attributes as a garden tree if it is smaller and slower growing.

 

[leatherback]

Is this kind of variation typical within the species?

Nope.
Be protective. is has a quite unique look to it

 

[CapeCodBonsai]

If you are treating all the seedlings the same and this one still shows the same variation it is likely to be genetic and, therefore, a new cultivar.

Yes, these Zelkovas were all started at the same time and grown under the same conditions.

Try striking a few cuttings to see if the traits persist in its offspring.

I’ll try the cuttings. It’ll be fun to see what happens!

 

[CapeCodBonsai]

Be protective. is has a quite unique look to it

I will!

It has to be at least 5 years old now and it has been established in a grow bag for over a year. I’d actually have to try to kill it at this point . . . but, then again, I do have a fairly good tree grave yard going.

 

[johng]

I have several hundred seedlings...I just noticed recently that there were a few that have similar leaves to what you have pictured. I prune my several times through the growing season and just assumed it was a product of forcing new growth multiple times in a growing season.

 

[CapeCodBonsai]

I prune my several times through the growing season and just assumed it was a product of forcing new growth multiple times in a growing season.

I’ve witnessed the same thing on my other Zelkovas. The difference is, this particular tree has always only put out these heavily serrated leaves. It was planted directly in the ground for at least four years and left unpruned for a few seasons. The leaf shape never changed.

Perhaps that is this trees mutation? . . . it only puts out a juvenile leaf form. Perhaps at some point it will put out a more mature form of foliage but, I haven’t seen it yet.

 

[Nybonsai12]

I've had this happen on Zelkova when starting from seed in the past. I have some i just started this year and one of them has those more serrated leaves like yours in the second pic. The rest of them look normal. Will be interested to see what happens as it grows.

 

[CapeCodBonsai]

Just to put a sense of scale to the foliage, I grabbed some leaves from some of the other saplings to compare with the variant foliage.

The three centered leaves (bottom) are from the sapling in question. The two leaves on the left side of the trio, were the largest that I could find on the tree. The third leaf (on the right side) is an average sized leaf on the tree.

I did notice that the shaded leaves on the variant are just as dark as the other Zelkovas so, ultimately there may be no difference in coloration.

 

[CapeCodBonsai]

The third leaf (on the right side) is an average sized leaf on the tree.

@leatherback Keep in mind that this is its typical leaf size while it’s growing normally in the ground. I suspect that the leaves would reduce in size when the tree is subjected to bonsai culture.

If I thought that a cutting would survive the trip overseas (and I knew your import restrictions), I’d send you one.

 

[leatherback]

@leatherback Keep in mind that this is its typical leaf size while it’s growing normally in the ground. I suspect that the leaves would reduce in size when the tree is subjected to bonsai culture.

I would assume as much, indeed.

If I thought that a cutting would survive the trip overseas (and I knew your import restrictions), I’d send you one.

I am sure rooted cuttings would survive if wrapped, but maybe there are better ways.
Would love to have a rare variety Zelkova added to my collection

Best first make sure you have sufficient volume and multiple plants in different location if these turn out to be rare.
I for one have not come across these leaf types before.

 

[Shibui]

Zelkova, being in the elm family, also grow easily as root cuttings. Stem cuttings can be wrapped in plastic and posted. The high humidity of a sealed bag is much like a propagating setup anyway so cuttings will last days, possibly even weeks if well wrapped but I suspect that roots would ship more reliably then stem cuttings for long distance transfer of propagating material.

 

[CapeCodBonsai]

Zelkova, being in the elm family, also grow easily as root cuttings. Stem cuttings can be wrapped in plastic and posted. The high humidity of a sealed bag is much like a propagating setup anyway so cuttings will last days, possibly even weeks if well wrapped but I suspect that roots would ship more reliably then stem cuttings for long distance transfer of propagating material.

That’s why I love this site, I’m always learning something.