Japanese Zelkova

About this plant

A magnificent choice for any landscape, Zelkova 'Village Green' offers an elegant, symmetrical form that provides excellent shade and visual appeal. Its strong, upward-spreading branches create a classic vase shape, making it an ideal street tree or a stately specimen for parks and large gardens. Beyond its architectural beauty, this cultivar boasts attractive green foliage throughout the growing season, which transforms into a spectacular display of rich russet, gold, and orange in the fall, ensuring year-round interest. Its adaptability to various urban conditions and resistance to common elm diseases make it a superior alternative to traditional elms, providing enduring beauty and resilience. With its refined aesthetic and robust constitution, the Japanese Zelkova 'Village Green' offers a sophisticated solution for gardeners and landscape designers seeking a high-quality, long-lived shade tree.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Adapts to a wide range of soil conditions, including urban environments. Water regularly during dry spells, especially when young, to establish a strong root system. Minimal pruning is typically required, primarily for shaping or removing dead/damaged branches.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.