Makin, Julie
Celtis occidentalis L.
Common hackberry, Nettle tree
Ulmaceae (Elm Family)
The common hackberry is a 60-100 ft.
deciduous tree, varying greatly in response to habitat. The broad crown is often erratic in shape.
Tree with rounded crown of spreading or slightly drooping branches, often deformed as bushy growths called witches’-brooms. Older
bark is covered with conspicuous, corky projections. The plant foliage is dull-green and rough. Its fall color is not impressive. Orange-brown to dark-purple berries are arranged in clusters.
Used for furniture, athletic goods, boxes and crates, and plywood. The common name apparently was derived from hagberry, meaning marsh
berry, a name used in Scotland for a cherry. Many birds, including quail, pheasants, woodpeckers, and cedar waxwings, consume the sweetish fruits. Branches of this and other hackberries may become deformed bushy growths called witches-brooms produced by mites and fungi. The leaves often bear rounded galls caused by tiny jumping plant lice.
Image Gallery:
2 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Tree Leaf Retention: Deciduous Leaf Arrangement: Alternate Leaf Complexity: Simple Inflorescence: Axillary Fruit Type: Drupe Size Notes: 60-100
Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Flower:
Fruit: Purple, Red
Size Class: 72-100 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Green , Brown
Bloom Time: Apr
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CO , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , NC , ND , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VT , VA , WV , WI , WY , DC
Canada: MB ,
ON ,
QC Native Distribution: NH to WY, s. to GA, AR & n.w. TX
Native Habitat: Stream banks; flood plains; rocky hillsides of open woods
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Dry
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Drought Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Rich, moist soils. pH adaptable.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Hackberries are among the best food and shelter plants for wildlife. The
fruit is relished by birds.
Use Food: Americans made cakes by pulverizing the
entire fruit, including the seed, making a nutritious food that could be stored.
Dakota people used the dried
fruit as a spice.
Native Americans used hackberry extracts medicinally, for sore throats, colds, regulation of menstrual periods. (Athenic)
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Question Mark, Mourning Cloak, American Snout
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Celtis occidentalis is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Last Update: 2012-10-15
