Common Hackberry
Celtis occidentalis
Also listed as Celtis canina, Celtis audibertiana
Also known as Hackberry, American Hackberry, Northern Hackberry
Climate Match for your location
See how well Common Hackberry grows in your area.
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A native North American shade tree with a rounded crown, small leaves, and inconspicuous flowers followed by small berry-like drupes attractive to birds. Extremely hardy and drought-tolerant once established, making it ideal for tough urban or rural sites.
Why grow it
Common hackberry performs similarly to ash or elm in tough sites but with notably fewer pest and disease pressures. It tolerates compacted urban soils, salt, and drought better than most comparable shade trees, making it a practical alternative where growing conditions are marginal. The small fruits reliably attract birds and wildlife without creating litter problems like larger-fruited species.
Watch out for
Young trees benefit from staking and consistent moisture during establishment, as they can develop multiple competing leaders if left unsupported. Expect variable form and crown shape among seedlings, so select trees in person if uniformity matters for your design.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Cannabaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
'Prairie Sentinel' is a narrow, columnar form suitable for small spaces; 'Windy City' is a compact cultivar developed for urban environments.
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A native North American shade tree with a rounded crown, small leaves, and inconspicuous flowers followed by small berry-like drupes attractive to birds. Extremely hardy and drought-tolerant once established, making it ideal for tough urban or rural sites.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Common Hackberry grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Common hackberry performs similarly to ash or elm in tough sites but with notably fewer pest and disease pressures. It tolerates compacted urban soils, salt, and drought better than most comparable shade trees, making it a practical alternative where growing conditions are marginal. The small fruits reliably attract birds and wildlife without creating litter problems like larger-fruited species.
Watch out for
Young trees benefit from staking and consistent moisture during establishment, as they can develop multiple competing leaders if left unsupported. Expect variable form and crown shape among seedlings, so select trees in person if uniformity matters for your design.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Cannabaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Similar canopy trees you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.
Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
'Prairie Sentinel' is a narrow, columnar form suitable for small spaces; 'Windy City' is a compact cultivar developed for urban environments.