Common Hackberry

Scientific Nomenclature: Celtis occidentalis

Common Names: common hackberry, American hackberry, beaverwood, false elm, nettle tree

Mature Height: 40–100 feet

Mature Spread: 40–60 feet

Growth Rate: Rapid

Attracts Wildlife: Pollinators, select moth species, birds and small mammals

Messiness: Drops its leaves in autumn. Yellowish-green flowers will appear in spring. Female flowers give way to an abundant fruit crop of berry-like drupes, which ripen in autumn but may remain on the tree through winter if not consumed by birds.

Shape: Round/Oval

Native to Kentucky: Yes

Preferred Soils: Prefers moist, well-drained soils rich in organic matter content. Tolerates a range of soil types including loams, clays, sandy soils and shallow rocky soils. It is also tolerant of acidic (<6.0pH), neutral (6.0–8.0pH) and alkaline (>8.0pH) soils.

Screening: Not used for a screening or privacy tree.

Drought Tolerance: Is not tolerant of drought.

Coniferous or Deciduous: Deciduous

Pruning: Rarely, if ever, needs pruning other than to remove deadwood and damaged branches when required.

Following being planted as a sapling, over 20 years one common hackberry will:

• Sequester ~325 pounds of CO2.
• Reduce stormwater runoff by 390 gallons.