Common Hackberry
Celtis occidentalis · Deciduous hardwood
Plant Family
Cannabaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Species type (wild type with no specific named cultivar)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9, showing high adaptability to varying climatic conditions.
About This Tree
A medium to large deciduous tree with an irregular rounded crown, often featuring a somewhat weeping branching habit at maturity. It has a moderate to fast growth rate and is resilient in urban environments.
Leaf Characteristics
Alternate, simple leaves measuring 2 to 5 inches long, ovate to lanceolate with asymmetrical bases and coarsely serrated margins. Medium green turning yellowish-green in fall.
Bark Characteristics
Light gray to brown bark, famously characterized by prominent, corky ridges, warts, and warty projections that become deeply furrowed with age.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to North America, widely distributed across the eastern and central United States and southern Canada.
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-spring, produces small greenish flowers in spring alongside new leaves, small berries ripen in autumn, enters dormancy in late autumn.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in full sun to partial shade. Highly drought-tolerant once established and adapts well to various soil moisture levels.
Mature Size
Expected mature height of 40 to 60 feet (sometimes up to 80 feet) with a comparable spread. Moderate to fast growth rate with a lifespan of 150 to 200 years.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional resistance to wind damage, urban pollution, and road salt. Features unique corky bark and produces small, edible sweet drupes favored by wildlife.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides crucial food and habitat for numerous bird species and small mammals that consume the berries. Acts as a larval host plant for several butterfly species including the Hackberry Emperor.