Celtis occidentalis
hackberry
Notes:
Showy bark when mature. Rooting habit is debated: Sunset says amazing tolerance of planting strips without heaving pavement, Stoecklein also says tolerant of restricted root space, but UFL says surface roots likely and Dove/Woolridge say roots are shallow. USDA, on the other hand, claims deep soil is needed.
Leafs out late. Prone to witches' broom in East. Compartmentalizes injury poorly.
Not for use near paved surfaces due to fruit litter. UConn calls the fruits edible but warns that the hard seeds inside "can break teeth." Yikes.
'Prairie Pride' is said to be free of gall and witches' broom.
Sources: White Oak, Sunset, Dove/Woolridge, UFL, JerseyYards.org, UConn, Dirr, Cal Poly, USDA.
Tags:
attracts:bees
attracts:birds (ex-humming)
attracts:butterflies
attracts:larval host
attracts:mammals
bark injury sensitive
branches break
clay tolerant
compacted soil tolerant
deer resistant
drought tolerant
easy to grow
edible fruit
exposure:full sun
exposure:part shade
fast-growing
fire risk low
form:tree
full sun preferred
habit:irregular
habit:oval
habit:rounded
habit:spreading/wide
habit:vase
infertile soil tolerant
large wounds sensitive
litter:fruit
native:eastern North America
persistence:deciduous
pollution tolerant
pruning required
rich soil preferred
root restriction tolerant
roots:coarse/few
roots:wide-spreading
salt tolerant
sandy soil tolerant
showy bark
type:broadleaf
use:bonsai
use:screen
use:shade tree
use:specimen
use:street
water:moderate to little
weedy
wet soil tolerant
wind tolerant
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