Zelkova carpinifolia or Caucasian elm. Closely related to the elm, the Zelkova is a relict tree from the Tertiary Era. It is native to Azerbajan, Armenia, Georgia, Turkey and Iran, where its light, flexible timber was useful in making frames for doors and windows. 8000 years ago forests of zelkova were widespread in this Transcaucasian region, but sadly it is now threatened in its countries of origin. Today there are just two populations remaining.
However it is a popular tree world-wide in botanic gardens. Slow-growing and longlived, it may reach 30 metres in height and in its mature form it has a short, wide trunk dividing into many ascending branches to form a distinctive vase shape. It will be many, many decades before the zelkovas of Cambridge assume this stature and appearance if ever. For some reason in this country, they often seem to grow with an enormous spread and are prone to breaking in storms. Strangely, they are included on our Council’s list of preferred trees for streetplanting. Although it is a lovely tree, there are many species more suited to this particular purpose. However they do make a good shade tree for use in parks as shown in the accompanying photo.
