Common Hackberry
Celtis occidentalis · Deciduous broadleaf hardwood
Plant Family
Cannabaceae (formerly Ulmaceae)
Tree Category
Shade Tree / Forest Tree / Wildlife Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Native species (unspecified cultivar)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 2-9; highly adaptable to extreme temperature fluctuations and various soil pH levels.
About This Tree
A medium-sized tree known for its resilient nature and unique 'warty' bark. It often exhibits a rounded, spreading crown with slightly pendulous branches. It is a tough tree that handles urban conditions and wind remarkably well.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate arrangement; ovate to oblong-ovate shape with asymmetrical bases; 2-5 inches long; coarsely serrated margins; dull green with a rough, sandpaper-like texture on top; turning yellow in autumn.
Bark Characteristics
Distinctive grayish-brown bark featuring corky, wart-like ridges and protuberances that become more pronounced with age; the younger trunk shown displays the beginning of these characteristic ridges and light-colored lenticels.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Central and Northeastern North America, from Southern Canada to Oklahoma and east to the Atlantic coast.
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-spring; flowers in April-May; fruits ripen in September-October; enters dormancy in late autumn with yellow fall color.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade. Moderately drought-tolerant once established; prefers moist, well-drained soils but adapts to dry or seasonally flooded sites.
Mature Size
Height: 40-60 feet; Spread: 40-60 feet. Growth rate is moderate to fast (1-2 feet per year) with a lifespan of 150-200 years.
Special Characteristics
High tolerance to wind, urban pollution, and salt. Known for its 'drupes' (berry-like fruit) which are edible and high in protein. Often used as a substitute for American Elm in landscapes.
Wildlife & Ecology
Extremely high value; primary host for the Hackberry Emperor and Tawny Emperor butterflies. The small purple fruits are a critical winter food source for cedar waxwings, robins, and mockingbirds.