Common hackberry.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Deciduous tree

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

50 to 80 feet

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 3 to 9

Bloom time

Mid to late spring

Care

Plant this tree in a spot with plenty of room for its roots to spread. Keep an eye on the leaves for signs of nipple gall, which is common but usually harmless. Ensure the soil drains well to keep the tree happy and healthy.

Watering

Water deeply during the first few years until the root system is established.

Feeding

Apply a balanced slow release fertilizer in early spring if growth seems sluggish.

Pruning

Prune during the dormant winter season to remove dead or crossing branches.

Repotting

This is a large landscape tree and is not suitable for container culture long term.

Soil

Adaptable to various soil types

Soil pH

6.0 to 8.0

Temperature

-35 to 35°C

Humidity

30 to 70%

Drought tolerance

High

Safety

People

This tree is not considered toxic to humans.

Children

The small, hard berries could pose a minor choking hazard if ingested by very small children.

Contact allergens

The rough, warty bark can be abrasive to sensitive skin.

Airborne allergens

The pollen is a known allergen that can cause hay fever during the spring flowering season.

Edibility

The small fruits are technically edible but are mostly pit and skin with very little flesh.

How to identify it

• Distinctive warty or corky bark
• Asymmetrical leaf bases
• Small dark purple drupes
• Zigzagging branch patterns

Height

12 to 25m

Spread

10 to 20m

Leaves

green, yellow, deciduous

Flowers

green, yellow, 0.5 to 1cm

Fruit

dark purple, black, Autumn

Problems to watch for

• Hackberry nipple gall · Small galls form on leaves due to psyllids, which is mostly cosmetic and rarely harms the tree.
• Witches broom · Clusters of dense twigs form on branches, often caused by a combination of mites and fungi.

Growing it

Propagation

seed, cuttings

When to plant

spring, autumn

Plant shade tolerant native shrubs and perennials beneath the canopy to create a layered woodland effect.

Grows well with

• Eastern Redbud · It thrives in the dappled shade provided by the larger hackberry.
• Wild Ginger · This groundcover enjoys the moist, leaf-littered soil beneath the tree canopy.

Similar species

• Sugarberry · It is very similar but features smoother leaves and a more southern range.

Science

Family

Cannabaceae

Genus

Celtis

Order

Rosales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Central and eastern North America.

Conservation

This species is widespread and not of conservation concern.

It is a pioneer species that thrives in disturbed areas and along riverbanks, providing essential cover for many bird species.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, larval host plant, bird food source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

shade tree, street tree, wildlife habitat, windbreak

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is this a good tree for a small yard?

No, it grows quite large and is better suited for parks or spacious landscapes.

Does it have invasive roots?

The roots are generally well behaved, but they can be extensive given the size of the tree.

Where the name comes from

The name Celtis is an ancient Greek name for a tree with sweet fruit, while occidentalis means western, referring to its native range in the Western Hemisphere.

Good to know

• Its sweet but thin-fleshed fruits were eaten by Indigenous peoples and are still enjoyed by foragers today.
• The wood is quite tough and was historically used for making crates and furniture.
• It is incredibly tolerant of urban pollution and compacted soil.
• The berries persist into winter, providing a vital food source for birds when other resources are scarce.

Also in

• Drought-tolerant plants