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Cox, Paul

Celtis occidentalis L.

Common hackberry

Ulmaceae (Elm Family)

USDA Symbol: CEOC

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

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.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Size Class: 72-100 ft.
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: 60-100
Leaf Color: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit Color: Purple, Red

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.
Texas comments: Common hackberry is tree varying greatly in response to habitat. Older bark is covered with conspicuous corky projections. Its fall color is not impressive. Many birds including quail, pheasants, woodpeckers, and cedar waxwings consume the sweetish fruits.

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:
Wild cherry sphinx
(Sphinx drupiferarum)

Food Source
Learn more at BAMONA 		Tawny Emperor
(Asterocampa clyton)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA 		American Snout
(Libytheana carinenta)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA 		Question Mark
(Polygonia interrogationis)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA
Mourning Cloak
(Nymphalis antiopa)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Description: Stratified seed sown in spring or untreated seed sown in fall. Can be rooted from juvenile wood and from root sprouts or suckers.
Seed Collection: Pick mature fruits in late summer until winter. Air-dry with pulp on or soak overnight and rub pulp off on screen. Store in sealed, refrigerated containers.
Seed Treatment: Stratify 60-90 days at 41 degrees.
Commercially Avail: yes
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PlantWise: Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants

Celtis occidentalis (Common hackberry) is a PlantWise native alternative for:

   Ulmus parvifolia (Chinese elm)
   Ulmus pumila (Siberian elm)

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Texas Discovery Gardens - Dallas, TX
Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
* Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Trees of Central Texas (1984) Vines, Robert A.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Celtis occidentalis in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Celtis occidentalis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Celtis occidentalis

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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