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Common hackberry · Celtis occidentalis

Why are there spots on my common hackberry leaves?

Seeing spots on your hackberry is usually a sign of insect activity or fungal growth. Most of these issues are cosmetic and do not threaten the life of your tree. Check the underside of the leaves first to see if you can spot any tiny insects or webbing.

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spots on a plant
Photo: Scot Nelson, CC0

Check these first

  1. Inspect the undersides of the leaves for small bumps or insects.
  2. Check if the spots are circular or irregular in shape.
  3. Look for any signs of mold or fuzzy growth.

Likely causes

  1. Hackberry nipple gall

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see small, raised bumps or nipple shaped growths on the undersides of the leaves. These are caused by tiny psyllids feeding on the foliage.

    What to do: Do not worry about treatment because this is purely cosmetic. Simply rake up and dispose of fallen leaves in the autumn to reduce the number of overwintering insects.

  2. Leaf spot fungi

    Possible

    How to tell: These appear as dark or discolored circular patches on the leaf surface. They often show up during seasons with high humidity or frequent rain.

    What to do: Improve air circulation around the tree by pruning crowded branches. Clear away all leaf litter from the base of the tree to prevent fungal spores from spreading.

Leaf spots on other plants

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

You should only worry if the tree loses a significant portion of its leaves early in the season. Most spots are just a natural part of the tree's interaction with local insects.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the area around the base of your tree clean by removing fallen debris. A healthy, well watered tree is much better at resisting minor fungal infections.

Common hackberry: spots? 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

Will nipple galls kill my hackberry?
No, they are harmless to the overall health of the tree. They look unsightly, but the tree will continue to grow just fine.
Should I spray my tree with fungicide?
Usually, no. Fungicides are rarely effective once spots appear and are not necessary for the long term survival of a mature hackberry.

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.