Hackberry
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.
Hackberry
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.
Plant details
Botanic Name
Celtis occidentalis
Pronunciation
SEL-tis ok-sih-den-TAY-liss
Mature Height
40 to 50 ft.
Mature Spread
40 to 50 ft.
Water usage
One Droplet: Water twice per month or less, once established.
Two Droplets: Water about once per week, once established.
Three Droplets: Water about twice per week, once established.
Flower Color
inconspicuous
Bloom time
May
Colorado Native
Yes
Natural Habitat
central and eastern North America
Light Requirements
sun
Cold Hardiness
USDA zones 3-9
Elevation Limit
hardy to 7,000 ft.
Performance
These trees are planted in the very low water zone at the Water Wise Demonstration Garden. They have made good shade trees under low water conditions and have performed very well during drought conditions and water restrictions.
Hackberry is a good choice for a long-lived, resilient shade tree.
Maintenance
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.