Sadly this is yet another rare tree and the very few that occur in the mountains of Crete are endangered. Though normally only seen as a small tree in cultivation, mature trees can be as large as a full grown sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus). It was the first plant to be taken to Kew by air-freight, in 1924. The leaves resemble smaller versions of the Iranian Zelkova carpinifolia and its small flowers are scented. As with elms, young leafy branches can be cut in late summer and stored for use as a winter stock food.