Hackberry

Celtis occidentalis

SEL-tis ok-sih-den-TAY-liss
40 to 50 ft.
40 to 50 ft.
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very low

inconspicuous

May

40 to 50 ft.

40 to 50 ft.

Yes

central and eastern North America

sun

USDA zones 3-9

hardy to 7,000 ft.

Common hackberry is a medium-sized shade tree. It is commonly planted in urban landscapes because of its drought tolerance and resilience to erratic weather. It doesn't have noticeable flowers or outstanding fall color, but it does have a pleasing vase-shaped crown when mature.

Young trees have an irregular habit and take a while to develop into attractive trees. Fall leaf color is yellow. The light brown to grey bark is corky and ridged.

This tree almost always has lumps on its leaves due to hackberry nipple galls, but this causes no damage to the tree.

Common hackberry is a tough, xeric shade tree that works well in the Pikes Peak area.

very low

inconspicuous

May

40 to 50 ft.

40 to 50 ft.

Yes

central and eastern North America

sun

USDA zones 3-9

hardy to 7,000 ft.

These trees are planted in the very low water zone at the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden. They have made good shade trees under low water conditions and have performed very well during drought conditions and water restrictions.

Prune young trees strategically to develop a central leader branch. Prune out any dead or damaged branches. Highly susceptible to hackberry nipplegall on the leaves, but this causes no damage to the tree and does not require insecticide treatments.