Celtis occidentalis – Common Hackberry

Deciduous native tree, occurring throughout the Eastern United States. Grows up to 60′, 1 – 2 feet in diameter, sometimes up to 130 feet and a diameter of 4 feet or more! It has a straight central trunk and an ovoid crown with a cylindrical shape once mature. Grows in most types of soil, from the poorest to the richest. Considered by tree experts to be “one tough tree,” this plant tolerates drought once established but requires a minimum of 14 inches of rain per year. Perhaps the most defining features of the tree are the berries and deeply furrowed bark, covered with knobs ridges. The unique appearance of the bark adds to this native tree’s all-season appeal!

Edible drupes give the tree fall and early winter interest. Fruits attract birds, especially Cedar Waxwings, Mockingbirds, and Robins. The flowers attract various Butterfly species. The skins of the fruits are surprisingly sweet, although a tad dry, and the seed is rather large. Fruits can be removed en masse by hitting the branches with a stick. The seeds are also edible, although they are tough and crunchy. Shockingly for a plant, the seeds contain up to 70% aragonite – the same material that seashells are composed of! This makes Hackberry a choice source of dietary calcium for people and animals alike. Consider Hackberry for an egg-laying poultry flock!

Transplants easily in the first year or two, becoming difficult after. Full sun to part shade. Tolerates wind as well as pollution, but not maritime exposure. Often grown along roadsides. Able to grow in high alkaline soils. The branches tend to droop.

Best grown in moist, organically rich, well-drained soils in full sun.

The wood is heavy, soft, and weak. It decays quickly when exposed to moisture although is sometimes used in fine craft work.

These trees can live 150 to 200 years.

Plants are self-fertile and polygamomonecious, meaning they produce male, female, and bisexual flowers. Fruits will set well with all these flower choices.

The leaves are susceptible to Psyllid galls. These are insects which burrow into the leaves and create wart-like protrusions on the leaves. These do not harm the overall health of the plant, however they can cause the leaves to prematurely drop all at once in early fall, before most other trees. Removal of gall-infested leaf litter will break the Psyllid life cycle and reduce the issue. Consider repurposing these gall-infested leaves as litter for livestock of poultry. They will make quick work of the gall insects!