Chinese Hackberry
Celtis sinensis
Also listed as Celtis bodinieri, Celtis cercidifolia
Also known as Chinese Nettle Tree, East Asian Hackberry, Chinese Elm
Climate Match for your location
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A medium to large deciduous tree native to China with small leaves, insignificant flowers, and small purple-black fruits that attract wildlife. Hardy and drought-tolerant once established, it serves well as a shade tree or wildlife habitat in permaculture systems.
Why grow it
Chinese hackberry offers similar drought tolerance and wildlife value to native hackberry species (Celtis occidentalis), but with a smaller stature and finer leaf texture that can work well in space-constrained permaculture designs. Its tolerance for poor, compacted, and alkaline soils makes it useful where many shade trees struggle, and it establishes relatively quickly once past the initial establishment period. The small fruits reliably attract birds and persist into winter when other food sources are scarce.
Watch out for
Young trees benefit from consistent moisture during the first growing season, despite drought tolerance at maturity, and may require staking in very windy sites. The small fruits can create some cleanup on hardscapes, and the tree may develop a somewhat irregular or awkward form without selective pruning in its early years.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Cannabaceae
Native Range
China, Taiwan, Japan
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A medium to large deciduous tree native to China with small leaves, insignificant flowers, and small purple-black fruits that attract wildlife. Hardy and drought-tolerant once established, it serves well as a shade tree or wildlife habitat in permaculture systems.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Chinese Hackberry grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Chinese hackberry offers similar drought tolerance and wildlife value to native hackberry species (Celtis occidentalis), but with a smaller stature and finer leaf texture that can work well in space-constrained permaculture designs. Its tolerance for poor, compacted, and alkaline soils makes it useful where many shade trees struggle, and it establishes relatively quickly once past the initial establishment period. The small fruits reliably attract birds and persist into winter when other food sources are scarce.
Watch out for
Young trees benefit from consistent moisture during the first growing season, despite drought tolerance at maturity, and may require staking in very windy sites. The small fruits can create some cleanup on hardscapes, and the tree may develop a somewhat irregular or awkward form without selective pruning in its early years.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Cannabaceae
Native Range
China, Taiwan, Japan
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
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