Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Feel the soil to see if it is dry several inches down.
- Examine the curled leaves for tiny insects or sticky residue.
- Check if the curling is happening only on the newest growth.
Likely causes
Aphids
Most likelyHow to tell: Leaves may curl or twist, and you might see a sticky substance called honeydew on the foliage. Aphids are small, soft bodied insects that cluster on new growth.
What to do: Spray the leaves with a strong stream of water to knock the aphids off. If the infestation is heavy, apply insecticidal soap according to the label instructions.
Drought stress
PossibleHow to tell: The leaves curl inward to conserve moisture during hot, dry spells. The edges may also feel dry or brittle to the touch.
What to do: Deeply water the tree to a depth of 12 inches. Ensure you are watering every 7 to 14 days during the first few years of establishment.
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
Curling is concerning if it happens to the entire canopy or if the leaves begin to turn brown and crispy. Minor curling on a few leaves is normal during extreme heat.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain a consistent watering schedule during the first few years. Monitor new growth in the spring to catch aphid populations before they grow large.
Common hackberry: curling leaves? 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Does my tree need more fertilizer?
- Not necessarily. Curling is rarely caused by a lack of nutrients and over fertilizing can actually attract more aphids.
- Can I prune off the curled leaves?
- You can, but it is not required. The tree will likely shed them on its own if the stress is resolved.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Common hackberry
- What is attacking my common hackberry?
- Why are there spots on my common hackberry leaves?
- Why are my hackberry tree's leaves turning yellow?
- Why do my hackberry tree's leaves have brown tips?
- Why is my hackberry tree drooping?
- Why is my hackberry tree losing its leaves?
- How do I fix root rot on my 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.