Hackberry
Celtis occidentalis · Cannabaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around hackberry and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- Spring (discrete flowers)
- Mature size
- 12 to 20 m in height, 8 to 12 m in width
- Growth
- Moderate to fast
- Hardiness
- Approximately -30°C (very hardy)
- Origin
- North America
- Soil type
- Well-drained, fertile, adaptable
- Exposure
- Full sun to partial shade
Care
Watering
Water regularly during the first year to promote root establishment, then the tree becomes very tolerant of drought once established. In hot climates or during prolonged dry spells, weekly watering benefits growth. Avoid excess stagnant moisture which can promote root rot.
Exposure and light
Plant your hackberry in full sun or partial shade for optimal growth and balanced form. Sun exposure strengthens hardiness and promotes more abundant fruiting. Partial shade is acceptable but slightly slows growth.
Soil and preparation
The hackberry adapts to most well-drained soils, from sandy to loamy. Enrich the soil at planting with compost or potting soil to encourage vigorous establishment. Avoid compacted, impermeable soils which hinder deep root development.
Pruning and training
Prune lightly in winter or late autumn (outside frost periods) to maintain balanced form and remove dead or crossing branches. The hackberry tolerates formation pruning of young trees well. Moderate pruning is generally sufficient; this tree naturally has an attractive shape.
Fertilization
No fertilization is necessary once the tree is established in quality soil. Apply balanced or potassium-rich fertilizer in spring if soil is poor. Organic mulch at the base promotes water retention and gradual nutrient supply.
Health and pests
The hackberry is generally very healthy and rarely affected by major diseases. Occasionally watch for aphids or psyllids in very hot situations; water spray often suffices. Wood rot is rare if drainage is correct.
Did you know?
The hackberry is called the 'bread tree' in its native North American range, because its small sweet drupes, the size of cherries, constitute an important food source for wildlife. Some Native American peoples once consumed these dried fruits. Its hard and flexible wood was long used to make tools and agricultural structures.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- HopHumulus lupulus
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- HempCannabis sativa
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- Celtis laevigataCeltis laevigata
- Japanese hopHumulus scandens
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.