This deciduous tall tree has a fissured greyish trunk with spreading branches that form a rounded crown. It has thin dark green oval leaves and the male and female flowers appear on the same tree during spring followed by rounded fruit.

Hardiness zones 7 to 9

Aphananthe aspera is naturally found from Japan to China and Korea growing in coastal lowlands and the adjoining hills and valleys, commonly on stream embankments up to an altitude of 1,600 m (5,249 ft). 

It prefers a open to protected sunny to semi-shaded position and grows in deep well drained organic rich moist sandy to clay loam that is tending acidic but will tolerate alkaline soils with a pH range from 5.6 to 8.5. It is frost and slightly drought resistant, tolerating drier soils.

The Muku Tree is grown for its spreading crown, timber and attractive foliage. It is planted in parks and gardens as a lawn specimen for shade or used in a woodland setting. It is suitable for coastal and low-mountain regions and establishes in 3-5 years and is long lived. 

This tree is also planted in classical Chinese gardens and the fibrous timber is used for making paper, rope or clothing and the leaves are used as sandpaper or as feed for horses. ID 2694

Aphananthe (a-fan-ANTH-ee)  aspera (AS-per-uh)

Ulmaceae (ulm-AY-see-ee)
Elm Family