Habitat

• native to central China
• hardy to zone 5, and warmer parts of 4

Habit and Form

• a large, deciduous tree
• 40' to 60' tall
• width is greater than height
• rounded habit
• medium growth rate
• medium texture

Summer Foliage

• alternate leaf arrangement
• simple, deciduous leaves
• 3" to 6" long
• 1.5" to 3" wide
• ovate leaf shape
• serrate leaf margins
• dark green leaf color
• rough texture
• rubbery substance when leaf is broken

Autumn Foliage

• none, leaves fall green

Flowers

• dioecious
• no ornamental significance

Fruit

• brown, capsule-like with appressed wings
• looks like a large, plump, elm fruit
• 1.5" long
• notched apex
• 1 seed

Bark

• ridge and furrowed gray-brown bark
• attractive
• branches end in leaf

Culture

• easily transplanted
• soil tolerant
• full sun
• pH adaptable
• somewhat urban tolerant

Landscape Use

• shade tree
• park tree
• for high quality foliage
• street tree

Liabilities

• none serious

ID Features

• imbricate, sessile buds
• no terminal buds
• ovate leaf shape with serrated leaf margin
• waxy substance when leaf is broken

Propagation

• by seed
• by cuttings

Cultivars/Varieties

• none