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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Common hackberry (Celtis occidentalis L.) is a North American tree recognized by its uneven-based, serrated leaves, zigzag twigs and mature bark marked with corky ridges or warts. Its small purple fruit feeds birds, and the tree is used in landscapes and windbreaks. “Hackberry” can also refer to other Celtis species, including sugarberry, so combine several traits when identifying a tree.
How do you identify a hackberry tree?
Look at the leaves, twigs and bark together rather than relying on one feature. Common hackberry is deciduous, and its fruit is a useful clue when present.
- Leaves: Simple and alternately arranged, oval to lance-shaped, with serrated edges, a pointed tip and an uneven base.
- Twigs and buds: Twigs are slender and zigzag; small buds sit close against them.
- Bark: Grayish brown, with corky warts or ridges that may become somewhat scaly with age.
- Fruit: A small red-purple to dark-purple drupe. The USDA Forest Service gives a diameter of 6–8 mm (0.25–0.33 in) in its 1990 account.
These traits describe common hackberry, not every tree called a hackberry. Sugarberry (Celtis laevigata) resembles it and overlaps its range in the South, making identification less certain there. Compare multiple features and use the scientific name when confirming a species. See the USDA Forest Service account, USDA NRCS fact sheet, Utah State University Extension profile and University of Nebraska–Lincoln identification profile.
Where does common hackberry grow?
The USDA Forest Service describes a broad native range from southern New England through southern Ontario and west to the Dakotas, extending south through parts of the central and southeastern United States. It is often associated with bottomlands and streams, but also grows on varied soils, slopes and limestone sites. The Forest Service account describes annual precipitation across the species’ growing area as 360–1,520 mm (14–60 in); that range characterizes its distribution, not a watering target for a particular planting.
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- HACKBERRY TREE SEEDS These hackberry seeds come in a pack of 15 and were harvested from mature 70-year-old black locust trees.
- BEAUTIFUL LARGE SHADE TREES Hackberry trees are a favorite for their gorgeous green foliage in summer. They’re also a favorite for wild-harvesters, as their seed berries are a sweet edible treat. They grow well in zones 2 to 9 and can grow up to 90 feet in height.
- WILD-CRAFTED These tree seeds were naturally grown in an environment free of pesticides, herbicides, and artificial fertilizers.
- HAND HARVESTED Each seed was harvested by hand; gently gathered in a way that harmed neither the environment, tree, nor wildlife in the area.
- PLANTING DIRECTIONS INCLUDED With each packet of seeds from The Little Iowan Homestead you will receive detailed planting directions to help ensure you can successfully germinate and begin growing your seeds.
Hackberry tolerates a range of soil and moisture conditions, but a permanently high water table or prolonged saturation is unfavorable. Periodic flooding may be tolerated, with effects depending on how long flooding lasts and whether the tree is a seedling or mature. In the South, overlap with sugarberry complicates the boundary between the species’ ranges. The older range and habitat account is in Silvics of North America (USDA Forest Service, 1990).
How large does a hackberry tree get?
The USDA Forest Service’s 1990 account gives 30–50 ft as a typical mature height, while noting exceptional sizes are reported. Treat that as a typical range from the cited account, not a maximum or a guarantee for an individual tree. Allow room for a mature tree when choosing a planting site; local growing conditions affect its eventual size.
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- Premium quality native shade tree seeds package containing 5 Hackberry Tree (Celtis occidentalis) seeds, a hardy North American deciduous tree with distinctive bark and fall berries for wildlife.
- Hardy across many USDA zones, this tough landscape tree thrives in full sun to part shade and tolerates dry conditions once established, ideal for urban yards and windbreaks.
- Complete growing instructions included on each seed packet, ensuring confident germination and cultivation of your Hackberry Tree plants.
- Great for native landscaping, street plantings, and creating bird-friendly habitat; showy yellow fall color and purple drupes add seasonal interest to parks and large gardens.
- A thoughtful gift for tree lovers, wildlife gardeners, restoration projects, and homeowners seeking a resilient shade canopy from seeds.
Are hackberries edible, and what eats them?
Birds eat the small fruits, which may remain on the tree into winter. Mature trees also provide nesting and feeding habitat; USDA NRCS notes that young stands can provide shelter for game birds, rabbits and deer. Hackberry leaves are food for hackberry emperor butterfly larvae, according to University of Maryland Extension.
University of Maryland Extension also reports that people have eaten the fruit and describes historic Indigenous use in jams and pastes. That history is not a safety guarantee for an unidentified fruit: confirm the tree’s identity before eating anything gathered from it. The Forest Service reports seed ripening in September and October in its 1990 account; timing can vary with location and conditions.
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- For sale are 2 Hackberry trees that are approximately 6-12" tall
- FAST-GROWING NATIVE SHADE TREE -- Quickly grows into a large, stately tree with a wide spreading canopy that provides excellent shade coverage for yards and landscapes
- THRIVES WHERE OTHER TREES STRUGGLE -- Extremely tolerant of drought, heat, wind, poor soil, and urban conditions, making it one of the hardiest and most adaptable trees you can plant
- TOP WILDLIFE TREE IN NORTH AMERICA -- Produces dark purple berries in fall that attract dozens of songbird species including cedar waxwings, robins, mockingbirds, and bluebirds to your property
- VIRTUALLY MAINTENANCE FREE -- Hardy in zones 2 through 9, adapts to almost any soil type, and requires little to no care once established
Is hackberry a good tree to plant?
It can suit a landscape, street planting or windbreak where there is adequate space and the site is not persistently waterlogged. The Forest Service describes its use as a Midwestern street tree, and USDA NRCS lists ornamental and multi-row windbreak uses. Before planting, consider:
- Space and setting: Plan for a tree that commonly reaches 30–50 ft in the Forest Service’s 1990 account, with larger exceptional trees reported.
- Drainage: A range of soils is possible, but prolonged saturation and permanently high water tables are poor conditions.
- Local fit: Check that common hackberry is appropriate for your climate and location, and ask a local nursery or extension service about regionally suitable stock.
- Young-tree protection: Deer and rabbits can severely damage young seedlings. The USDA NRCS fact sheet recommends protective netting.
Older agency guidance is useful for understanding the species, but local nursery advice can account for current stock and regional conditions. The NRCS sheet also describes conservation-grade nursery stock as 12–24 in tall and 3/16–1/2 in caliper; that is a specification for the stock it discusses, not a standard for every retail seedling.
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- Versatile Fruit Use: The plums produced can be eaten fresh as a snack and are well-suited for home kitchen projects like creating preserves, jams, and baked goods.
- Suitable Growing Zones: These plum tree seeds are appropriate for outdoor cultivation within USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 9.
- Pre-Planting Cold Stratification: For more consistent germination, it is recommended to mix the seeds with a moist medium and refrigerate them in a sealed bag (at approximately 4°C) for 6 to 8 weeks before sowing.
- Sowing and Cultivation Environment: Sow the stratified seeds in well-draining soil at a depth of approximately 1-2 cm. Choose a planting location that receives full sun exposure to support the tree's development.
- Landscape Yard Tree: Mature plum trees offer ornamental spring blossoms and provide summer shade, making them a dual-purpose choice for yards, contributing to both fruit production and landscape appeal.
Can you grow hackberry from seed?
Yes. USDA NRCS describes collecting mature seed and notes that hackberry seed is dormant, so propagation may involve moist-cold stratification or sowing in fall. Because that fact sheet was edited in 2006, confirm current treatment details with the nursery supplying the seed or a local extension service. The sheet also notes that seedlings are available from hardwood nurseries. Choose seed or seedlings suited to the planting region, and protect young plants from browsing.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 🌳 Extremely Hardy Native Tree: A durable North American species known for thriving in tough conditions
- 🍒 Produces Small Edible Berries: Sweet, berry-like fruits enjoyed by birds and wildlife
- 🌞 Adaptable & Resilient: Tolerates drought, wind, pollution, and a wide range of soil types
- 🐦 Wildlife Favorite: Supports birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects year-round
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