A tree with a loose, broad and semi-open crown. The trunk is usually branched with several sturdy main branches. The grey trunk is smooth at first with pink to brownish orange lenticels, but later it flakes off in flat sheets revealing the orange-brown bast underneath. Young twigs are green and hairy at first, later turning bare and reddish brown. The ovoid to elongated leaves are soft green and turn a bronzy red and orange-yellow in the autumn. The top is long and tapers to a point and the leaf edge has single teeth tapering to a point. Zelkova has an unremarkable manner of flowering followed by small, bean-like fruit. The tree is related to the elm (Ulmus) but is different in that the flowers of Zelkova are unisexual and of Ulmus are hermaphroditic. The fruit of Ulmus are dry and winged, while Zelkova has drupes. Zelkova serrata is valued for its attractive manner of growth and the dark green leaves that turn to various shades of red and orange in the autumn.
Zelkova serrata môže dorastať do výšky 10 - 12 (30) m v závislosti od podmienok stanovišťa a klímy.
Zelkova serrata rastie priemerne rastúci a môže dorastať do výšky 10 - 12 (30) m v závislosti od podmienok stanovišťa a klímy.
Listy stromu Zelkova serrata sa na jeseň sfarbia do žltá, oranžová, červená."
Správny čas na výsadbu stromu je mimo vegetačné obdobie. V strednej Európe môže byť Zelkova serrata so zemným balom vysadený od polovice novembra do konca apríla, avšak závisí to veľmi od klimatických podmienok a druhu stromu.