Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the soil to see if it is bone dry.
- Check if the browning is only on the very edges of the leaves.
- Look for signs of recent salt exposure or heavy fertilizer use.
Likely causes
Drought Stress
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips of the leaves turn dry, crispy, and brown while the rest of the leaf wilts. This occurs during extended dry spells when the tree does not get enough water.
What to do: Water the tree deeply by soaking the root zone for 30 to 60 minutes. Apply a 3 inch layer of mulch around the base to help retain soil moisture. Aim to provide 1 inch of water every 10 days during hot weather.
Salt Accumulation
PossibleHow to tell: The leaf tips turn brown and brittle, often appearing after a dry season or near treated roads. This happens when salts build up in the root zone.
What to do: Flush the soil by watering deeply and slowly to wash salts away from the root area. Avoid using salt based fertilizers near the tree. Ensure the area has good drainage to carry the salts away.
Find out what's wrong with your common hackberry
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
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When to worry
Worry if the browning moves inward from the tips to cover the whole leaf. Minor browning on a few leaves is common during extreme summer heat.
Stopping it coming back
Apply a layer of organic mulch around the tree to keep the roots cool and moist. Water deeply during dry periods to prevent salt buildup.
Common hackberry: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your common hackberry and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
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Questions people ask
- Should I trim off the brown tips?
- You can trim them for aesthetic reasons, but it is not necessary for the health of the tree. Use clean, sharp shears to make a clean cut.
- Does wind cause brown tips?
- Strong, drying winds can contribute to moisture loss in the leaves. This is more common in exposed locations.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Common hackberry
Back to the Common hackberry guide
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.