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Keaki ( Keyaki )
(Zelkova serrata), Keaki, Japanese zelkova, keyaki; ju shu, is a species of zelkova native to Japan, Korea, eastern China, and Taiwan. It is often grown as an ornamental tree, and is used in bonsai.
It is a medium sized deciduous tree usually growing to 30 m. (100 ft). It has a short trunk dividing into many upright and erect spreading stems forming a broad, round topped head. The tree grows rapidly when young though the growth rate slows as it matures.
The leaves are alternate, simple and ovate to oblong-ovate with toothed margins, to which the tree owes its species name “Serrata”.The leaves are rough on top and hairless on the underside. They are green to dark green in spring and throughout the summer, in atumn turning to shades of yellow, orange and red.
Keaki develops flowers in spring with the leaves.They are yellow-green, not showy, and occur in tight groups along new stems. They give rise to small, ovate, drupes that ripen in late summer to autumn from green to brown. Its twigs are slender with small, dark conical buds in a zigzag pattern. The bark is grayish white to grayish brown and either smooth with lenticels or exfoliating in patches to reveal orange inner bark. Branchlets are brownish purple to brown. Keaki prefers full to partial sun and prefers moist, well drained soils.
Keaki trained with a single, central trunk are found often as street trees in Tokyo. Here the spreading upper branches make an elegant archway over the traffic.
Key idea: "friendship". Main colour: green
Balancing the heart, improved relationship. Increase in happiness. Enjoyment of one's surroundings. Improved self-image. Clarity of mind and calmness of emotions. Seeing what is true and valuable. Letting go of illusion and misconceptions.