Celtis occidentalis - Common Hackberry
Celtis occidentalis - Common Hackberry - Photo courtesy of Sean James Consulting & Design
Celtis occidentalis - Common Hackberry - Fall Colour - Photo courtesy of J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.

Common Hackberry

Celtis occidentalis

  • Upright, arching branches with a rounded, spreading crown
  • Bark develops corky ridges, tan when young, turning gray at maturity
  • Simple ovate leaves, with serrated margins, are light green in the summer
  • Foliage turns a bright yellow in the fall
  • A hardy shade tree tolerating a wide range of soil conditions
  • Greenish flowers produce round fleshy berry-like deep purple drupes
  • Bloom Time: April to May

ZONE:
2

COLOUR:
Green

HEIGHT:
15-18 m

SPREAD:
14-16 m

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Growing and Maintenance Tips:


Celtis can tolerate wind, pollution and a wide range of soil conditions, including wet, dry and poor soils.

Additional Notes about Common Hackberry:


Native to Ontario and parts of North America.

Larval host for a wealth of moths and butterflies, including at least 5 specialist butterflies, which need Celtis to survive. The flowers are wind-pollinated, and the fruit that is produced contains up to 160 times as much calcium as other berry fruits, along with other minerals. The fruit often persists well into the winter, feeding at least 25 species of birds and some small mammals.



Characteristics & Attributes


GROWTH RATE:
Medium
ATTRIBUTES:
Deciduous
Fall Color
FLOWERING TIME:
Spring
FOLIAGE COLOR:
Yellow
Green
LANDSCAPE USES:
Naturalizing
Specimen