Common Name:

General Information

Celtis koraiensis is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 15 metres tall, though it is sometimes rather smaller and shrub-like[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, and probably also as a source of materials.
Celtis koraiensis has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major
threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - central and eastern China, Korea

Habitat

Waysides in C. Korea[]. Forests, valleys and slopes; at elevations from 100 - 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	12.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Celtis koraiensis can be very cold-hardy when growing in hot summer areas, able to tolerate temperatures falling to at least -20°c[]. However,
Succeeds in any reasonably good soil, preferring a good fertile well-drained loamy soil[, , ]. Succeeds on dry gravels and on sandy soils[]. Established plants are very drought resistant[].
Trees prefer hotter summers and more sunlight than are normally experienced in Britain, they often do not fully ripen their wood when growing in this country and they are then very subject to die-back in winter[, , ].
Trees can be very long-lived, perhaps to 1000 years[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[, ]. The orange-yellow to dark brown, more or less globose fruit is about 10 - 13mm in diameter, containing a single seed around 8mm in diameter[, ]

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

We have no specific information for this species, but most species in this genus yield a fine timber; their fibre-rich bark is utilized for the manufacture of ropes and paper; and an oil obtained from the seed is used for making soaps and lubricants[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[]. Stored seed is best given 2 - 3 months cold stratification and then sown late winter/early spring in a greenhouse[, ]. Germination rates are usually good, though the stored seed might take 12 months or more to germinate. The seed can be stored for up to 5 years[]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots. The leaves of seedlings often have a lot of white patches without chlorophyll, this is normal and older plants produce normal green leaves. Grow the seedlings on in a cold frame for their first winter, and plant them out in the following late spring or early summer[]. Give them some protection from the cold for their first winter outdoors.
Cuttings