Celtis occidentalis
common hackberry
Overview
Celtis occidentalis is a medium to large deciduous tree in the hemp family, typically 40-60 feet (12-18 m) tall and occasionally reaching 100 feet (30 m), with a broad, rounded crown of arching branches. The gray bark develops corky, warty ridges that thicken with age. Alternate leaves are ovate with an uneven base, 2-5 inches (5-12 cm) long, finely toothed along the margins, and turn pale yellow in autumn. Small greenish flowers open with the leaves in spring and are wind-pollinated. By fall the tree carries round, pea-sized drupes about 0.3 inch (8 mm) across that ripen from orange-red to dark purple and persist into winter, feeding many birds. The species withstands drought, wind, poor soil, salt, and urban air, which accounts for its wide use as a street and shade tree. Two common but largely cosmetic problems are nipple-gall, caused by tiny insects that bump the leaf surface, and witches'-broom, a dense twig clustering linked to mites and fungi. The wood is soft and weak-jointed, so branches can break in storms.
Native Range
Celtis occidentalis is native to central and eastern North America, from southern Canada through the Great Plains and Midwest to the southeastern United States. It grows naturally in floodplains, bottomlands, and limestone bluffs.Suggested Uses
Planted as a shade, street, and parking-lot tree where a tough, broad-canopied species is needed, and used in windbreaks and naturalized plantings. The fall drupes feed cedar waxwings, robins, woodpeckers, and other birds. Its tolerance of harsh conditions suits reclaimed and difficult sites where less adaptable trees fail.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height40' - 60'
Width/Spread40' - 60'
Reaches mature size in approximately 30 years
Bloom Information
Greenish flowers appear in April or May as the leaves expand. They are wind-pollinated and easily overlooked. The season of interest comes later, when the drupes color up from late summer through fall.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
medium greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight