Name
			
			
			
Hackberry
			
		
		
			
			
Scientific Name
			
			
			
Celtis occidentalis
			
		
		
			
			
Wildlife Value
			
			
			
Good
			
		
		
			
			
Average Height
			
			
			
70'
			
		
		
			
			
Origin
			
			
			
Native
			
		
		
			
			
Shade Tolerance
			
			
			
Moderate
			
		
		
			
			
Drought Tolerance
			
			
			
Fair
			
		
		
			
			
Growth Rate
			
			
			
Rapid
			
		
		
			
			
Fruit
			
			
			
Berry
			
		
		
			
			
Special Characteristics
			
			
			
Member of Elm Family
			
		
		
			
			
Seedling Size
			
			
			
12" to 18"
			
		
	
General Description
Hackberry is a moderately long-lived hardwood considered to be heavy in weight.  The hackberry is easily distinguished from elms and some other hackberries by its cork-like bark with wart-like protuberances. It produces small berries that turn orange-red to dark purple in the Autumn, often staying on the trees for several months. Birds and small animals adore the hackberry fruit, allowing for the seed to be widely dispersed. It prefers rich moist soil, but will grow on gravelly or rocky hillsides. The roots grow very deep and rapidly. In favorable conditions a hackberry tree can live over a hundred years. Not susceptible to serious disease.
 
Uses
The hackberry is often used in landscape planting as a substitute for elm. Hackberry is often used in wind break plantings to control wind erosion. Used for fencing and cheap furniture.