Taiwan Zelkova | The Wood Database (Hardwood)

Color/Appearance: Heartwood is light to medium golden brown, usually distinct from the lighter yellowish brown sapwood. Quartersawn sections can display minute ray fleck patterns due to the wide rays. Overall appearance is very similar elm (Ulmus spp.).

Grain/Texture: Grain varies from straight to irregular and interlocked.

Rot Resistance: Rated as very durable, with good insect resistance.

Workability: Easy to work with both hand and machine tools. Turns, glues, and finishes well.

Odor: No characteristic odor.

Allergies/Toxicity: Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust, no further health reactions have been associated with keyaki. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Pricing/Availability: Although used extensively in the past, keyaki is generally not available commercially nowadays.

Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, but is assessed by IUCN as being near threatened. Although the species as a whole is not threatened, certain areas where the tree occurs, specifically in China and Korea,^[1]Bétrisey, S., Song, Y. & Kozlowski, G. 2018. Zelkova serrata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: … Continue reading have seen a decline in habitat quality and extent of occurrence.

Common Uses: Used domestically within its natural range, usually for decorative purposes such as furniture, carvings, and lacquer works. Currently, the wood is reserved for historically-accurate restoration of ancient temples and shrines within its natural range.^[2]Timbers of the World: Vol. 2 (p. 34). (1980). United Kingdom: TRADA

Comments: In addition to this species, there is also a variant endemic to Taiwan (Zelkova serrata var. tarokoensis) with markedly higher density.

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Identification: See the article on Hardwood Anatomy for definitions of endgrain features.

Zelkova (endgrain 1x)

Porosity: ring porous

Arrangement: earlywood pores typically one (or two) rows wide, latewood pores in wavy tangential bands (ulmiform)

Vessels: medium to very large earlywood pores, small to medium latewood pores; tyloses common

Parenchyma: vasicentric, confluent

Rays: wide width, wide spacing; rays are visible without magnification

Lookalikes/Substitutes: Bears a very close resemblance to elm (Ulmus spp.).

Notes: None.

> Hardwoods > Ulmaceae > Zelkova > Related Species

Keyaki
(Zelkova serrata)

Zelkova, Taiwain
(Zelkova serrata var. tarokoensis)

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References[+]

References
↑1	Bétrisey, S., Song, Y. & Kozlowski, G. 2018. Zelkova serrata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T61967528A61967548. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T61967528A61967548.en. Accessed on 18 April 2024.
↑2	Timbers of the World: Vol. 2 (p. 34). (1980). United Kingdom: TRADA