Why Plant Musashino Japanese Zelkova?
Musashino Japanese Zelkova isn’t exactly a household name, but this tree should be at the top of your list if you’re looking for a tall, upright, tough, and sturdy specimen that won’t get too wide. Musashino, growing at a moderately fast pace, rises proud and strong like a spire, lending a powerful vertical element to your landscape. The foliage is dense, making a row of trees an effective seasonal privacy screen. When nights turn frosty, the leaves take on warm autumn colors, ranging from bronzy gold to burnished orange. When they drop, many of the small, thin leaves blow away, making fall cleanup a simple matter.
The Japanese Zelkova, normally a vase-shaped shade tree, belongs to the Elm family and has been considered a good substitute for the American Elm since the arrival of Dutch Elm disease, as it is resistant to the fungus. Musashino is a unique columnar selection of Zelkova that was introduced by J. Frank Schmidt Nursery of Boring, Oregon in 2000. J. Frank Schmidt is a well-respected grower that has been in the tree business for over 60 years. Although Musashino was new to the U.S. in 2000, it had been grown for many years previously in Japan. It was named for a suburb of Tokyo where it has been used as a street tree.
How to use Musashino Japanese Zelkova in the landscape?
Tolerating salt spray, drought, pollution, and winter lows down to -20°F, Musashino is a survivor. Its tough constitution, coupled with its slim shape, have earned it a place in city gardens and along city sidewalks. In fact, the Society of Municipal Arborists named Musashino Japanese Zelkova their Urban Tree of the Year for 2016.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zones: 5-8
How To Plant Musashino Japanese Zelkova
Musashino Japanese Zelkova is an easy-to-please tree that even novice gardeners will succeed with, provided its few simple needs are met. Plant this tree in a sunny location, as shade will cause it to lose its nice, tight habit. It isn’t picky about soil, but it doesn’t like “wet feet”—excess water must drain away after a rain. It will be relatively drought tolerant in subsequent years.
How To Water
They require keeping the soil moist (not too wet) after initial planting and during the establishment period to help your tree develop a strong root system. Once established, they are more tolerant of drought conditions, reducing your hand-watering responsibilities.
How To Fertilize
During fall, feed your Zelkova Bower & Branch Elements Fertilizer once a year for about the first 3 or 4 years - this will give your tree all the nutrients it needs.
How To Prune
Pruning will seldom be necessary but if it is, they should be pruned so that dead branches and twigs that may be diseased can be removed. Do not compost any disease branches, dispose of them appropriately in the garbage.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
