Leaves do look very much like crassifolia, do they feel like sandpaper
They do! When stroking against the hairs from tip to base.
Now I know who to ask! I just saw a bench of cedar elms at Kimura Nursery in LA last month. I thought the leaves looked similar but didn’t think the bark looked the same.
@bonsaibp , if you have a chance, any thoughts on an ID for this tree? Bought at Santa Nella, labeled as Zelkova nire, it is an Ulmus. Name led me to believe it could be Ulmus davidiana japonica (also called Japanese elm). But now with fall flowers, I’m not so sure.